Multiple sclerosis affects about 100 per 1,00,000 population. Women get affected 3 times more commonly than men. It is a leading cause of disability. This presentation aims at educating people with MS about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of MS.

1. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Fighting the invisible
DR SUDHIR KUMAR MD DM
Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad

2. Outline of my Presentation
• What is multiple sclerosis?
• How common is it?
• Common signs and symptoms
• How is it diagnosed?
• How is it treated?
• MS and pregnancy
• Long-term outcome in patients with MS

3. What is Multiple Sclerosis?
• MS is a demyelinating disorder of central
nervous system affecting brain, spinal cord
and optic nerves.

4. How Common is MS?
• About 2.5 million MS patients worldwide
• Prevalence varies- more common in Europe
and North America; less in India
• 3 times more common in women than men
• Most common between 20-40 years, can
occur in children too.

5. Signs & Symptoms
• Visual loss
• Tingling, numbness, weakness of one half of
body or both legs/hands
• Imbalance
• Bladder symptoms

6. Diagnosis
• MRI of brain and spinal cord
• Lumbar puncture
• Exclusion of other diseases that can cause
similar symptoms

7. Treatment
• Acute stage: 5 day course of
methylprednisolone injections
• Prevention of relapses- disease modifying
agents (interferons, dimethylfumarate,
teriflunomide, natalizumab, etc)

8. MS in Pregnancy (1)
• Better to start DMD and then plan pregnancy
• MS usually does not adversely affect fertility
or pregnancy
• MS relapses are lesser in 2nd and 3rd trimesters
of pregnancy, however, it increases after
delivery
• Among DMDs, interferons and glatiramer are
safe. (Avoid teriflunomide in men with MS)

9. MS and Pregnancy
• Steroids are safe in pregnancy.
• There is no significant increased risk of MS in
babies born to mothers with MS
• Breastfeeding is safe in women on DMD
• Pregnancy and childbirth reduce the risk of
severe disability later in life in women with MS

10. Long-term Outcome
• 85% of MS patients do well
• MS patients who use DMDs are less disabled
(than who don’t use)
• Severe disability occurs in 10-15%.
• Longevity and survival have been increasing
over time, with average life span about 70
years (7-14 years lesser than general
population)

11. Queries/comments?
Whatsapp: 9866193953
Email: drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com