MS can also be described as an auto immune disease meaning the people with MS produce inflammatory reactions against their own nerve tissue
Subtype of the disease:
Individuals with progressive subtypes of MS have a more rapid decline in function, and supportive equipment such as a wheelchair is often needed after six to seven years
Individual’s gender:
Those diagnosed before age 35 have the best prognosis and females generally have a better prognosis than males
Race:
Black individuals tend to develop MS less frequently
Age:
The earlier in life MS occurs, the slower disability progresses. Individuals who are older than fifty when diagnosed are more likely to experience a chronic progressive course with more rapid disability.
Initial symptoms:
Such as numbness or tingling are markers for a relatively good prognoses, whereas difficulty walking and weakness are markers for a relatively poor prognosis
The degree of disability the person experience varies among individuals with MS. Generally 1 of 3 individuals will still be able to work after 15-20 years.
The life expectancy of people with MS is now nearly the same as the of unaffected people, this is due to improved methods of limiting disability such as physical, occupational and speech therapy along with treatment.
Nevertheless half of the deaths in people with MS are directly related to the consequences of the disease, while 15% more are due to suicide.
