World MS Day: Promoting Early Diagnosis for Improved Outcomes

World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day is observed annually on May 30. The theme for this year, "My MS Diagnosis," underscores the critical importance of early and accurate diagnosis for individuals living with this disease. This observance is particularly significant given that a diagnosis of MS is made every five minutes worldwide, according to WorldMSday. 

In MS patients, the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, a fatty substance that allows nerve impulses to be transmitted quickly. The loss of myelin disrupts the nerves' ability to conduct electrical impulses between the brain and other parts of the body, according to Novartis. In Mexico, about 30 out of every 100,000 inhabitants are affected by MS, with a higher prevalence in women than in men, explains Gloria de Lourdes Llamosa, President, Mexctrims. 

Although the disease is common, most countries worldwide face barriers that prevent the early diagnosis of MS, according to WorldMSday. These barriers include the high cost of obtaining a diagnosis and the lack of public awareness of MS symptoms among both the general population and healthcare professionals. 

“Many patients go through different doctors and struggle to get a diagnosis, with some even having their diagnosis changed month to month. MS is very common and early attention will affect the outcome and evolution of this pathology in a patient,” says Jhali Hernández, Director, Otium Physiotherapy and Wellness, to MBN.

Although it may seem that a timely diagnosis is simply the doctor's task, medical education among  patients helps identify this disease, explains Llamosa. “An empowered person who takes care of their health will seek medical help,” she adds.

Both patients and healthcare professionals must be vigilant for signs that may indicate MS. Symptoms to watch for include focal neurological deficits lasting more than 24 hours without another explanation and symptoms that appear in different parts of the body over time. A thorough clinical history and neurological examination can suggest a suspected diagnosis, which must be confirmed by an experienced neurologist, highlights Llamosa.

Once the disease is diagnosed, treatment should begin immediately. In the early days of MS discovery, a diagnosis was synonymous with living with an unmanageable disease, says José Eduardo San Esteban, Neurologist, ABC Medical Center: “Patients felt that their life was over and there were no solutions to offer.” 

Today, advances in understanding MS have shown that starting high-efficacy treatment early can positively impact the disease's course, according to Novartis. While there is no cure for MS, treatment aims to shorten the duration and reduce the frequency of relapses, alleviate symptoms, and delay or prevent the onset of disability, primarily focusing on enabling patients to maintain mobility, according to ABC Medical Center.  “Today the methods have changed radically, and the treatment has worked in a way that positively impacts the lives of patients,” adds San Esteban.

Techniques such as physiotherapy can also assist in enhancing sensitivity, establishing movement patterns, preventing motor control deterioration, and sustaining proper gait, among other benefits. Equally crucial is addressing each patient's mental well-being to encourage motivation and initiate their rehabilitation process, explains Hernández.

World MS Day, established by the MS International Federation, has been observed since 2009, according to Llamosa. Today, in addition to raising awareness, serves as an opportunity to collect data and testimonies about the disease. Llamosa explains that although patients may feel that MS is a lifelong label, it is important to remember that the disease does not define them as individuals.