Early Diagnosis Key to Managing Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a leading cause of disability among young adults, takes center stage on World MS Day, with experts stressing the importance of early diagnosis, personalized care, and access to modern treatments to improve patient outcomes.

World MS Day is observed annually on May 30, with related activities extending through May and early June. This year’s campaign, themed “My MS Diagnosis”, emphasizes the importance of early detection and proper diagnosis for all individuals living with MS.

In Mexico, over 20,000 people live with MS, with a higher prevalence among women aged 20 to 40. Irene Treviño, Academic at the Faculty of Medicine, UNAM, notes that MS is the second leading cause of disability in this age group. “Unfortunately, MS is common, and early intervention significantly influences its progression,” says Jhali Hernández, Co-Founder, Otium Physiotherapy and Wellness, to MBN. 

MS is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own nerve coverings, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Its symptoms and progression vary widely among patients, complicating diagnosis and treatment. This heterogeneity makes individualized care critical. 

Mariana Marcín, Neurologist, ABC Medical Center, cautions newly diagnosed patients against relying on outdated or discouraging information found online. “MS treatment today is very different from what it was 50 years ago,” says Marcín. While MS has no cure, modern therapies can effectively manage symptoms and slow disease progression, allowing many patients to lead active lives, according to Marcín.

Treatment of MS generally consists of three components which include managing acute attacks or relapses, modifying the disease course, and addressing symptoms, explains Marcín. Acute relapses are often treated with high doses of corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone to reduce inflammation, she adds. Disease-modifying therapies aim to slow the progression and reduce the frequency and severity of relapses. Symptomatic treatments address specific issues reported by patients, such as fatigue or mobility difficulties, which may not always be apparent during clinical examinations.

Despite advances, MS remains a progressive disease, often leading to brain atrophy over time, says Marcín. Untreated patients typically experience faster loss of brain volume compared to healthy individuals of the same age. The goal of treatment is to delay this progression and maintain patients’ independence and quality of life for as long as possible.

While the true cause of MS remains unknown, insights into its origins are starting to emerge, according to the findings of a Cambridge-led study. This study reveals that the genetic risk associated with MS first appeared among pastoralists from the Pontic steppe. This discovery marks a substantial advancement in the scientific understanding of the evolution of MS, according to William Barrie, first author of the study.

“Showing how the lifestyles of our ancestors impacted modern disease risk… highlights how much we are the recipients of ancient immune systems in a modern world,”  Barrie tells the University of Cambridge.

The World MS Day aims to increase awareness of early diagnosis and improve access to appropriate treatments. These steps are essential to reduce disability and improve the long-term outlook for those affected by multiple sclerosis.

“We must move toward a landscape where we can openly talk about conditions like multiple sclerosis,” says Héctor Salinas, CEO, McCANN Health Sistemas Integrales, to MBN.