Multiple Sclerosis (MS) PDF

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease that attacks myelinated axons in the central nervous system, destroying the myelin and the axon in variable degrees and producing significant physical disability. - The hallmark of multiple sclerosis is symptomatic episodes that occ...

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease that attacks myelinated axons in the central nervous system, destroying the myelin and the axon in variable degrees and producing significant physical disability. - The hallmark of multiple sclerosis is symptomatic episodes that occur months or years apart and affect different anatomic locations. - The term “multiple sclerosis” refers to two characteristics of the disease: Numerous affected areas of the brain and spinal cord (CNS) producing multiple neurologic symptoms that accrue over time. The characteristic plaques or sclerosed areas that are the hallmark of the disease. ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Epidemiology ▪ Diagnosis is usually at 20–50 years of age. ▪ Twice as many women as men develop MS. ▪ Whites and people of northern European heritage are more likely to develop MS. ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Risk factors: Family history of MS, autoimmune disease, or migraine; personal history of autoimmune disease or migraine; cigarette smoke exposure, obesity (especially in childhood and adolescence), vitamin D deficiency, genetic factors, Epstein-Barr virus. ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ▪ MS is not contagious or infectious. ▪ MS is the most common disease of the central nervous system in young adults. ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Diagnose of MS Several tests can be used to help in the diagnosis of MS. Some of the most common clinical assessments are: ▪ MRI scans ▪ Evoked potential tests ▪ Spinal tap ▪ Vision test ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` TYPES OF MS ▪ Relapsing remitting (RRMS) Most common form, ~85% of patients - Patients experience periods of remission followed by relapses (exacerbations) - Disability is stable between relapses ▪ Secondary progressive (SPMS) ~50% of RRMS patients transition to SPMS within 10 years of diagnosis. - Gradual progression of disability ▪ Primary progressive (PPMS) ~10% of patient population - Gradual progression of disability from disease onset - No relapse ▪ Progressive relapsing