2.1 million people worldwide have Multiple Sclerosis, with 400,000 of them accounting for the people in the United States that have this chronic disease that affects the nervous system. Even though they all have the same disease they experience different types of MS. Multiple Sclerosis is categorized into 4 internationally defined types: Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS), Relapsing-remmitting MS (RRMS), Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS), and Primary Progressive MS (PPMS). There are subdivisions like Benign MS and words like progressive, not progressive, active, and not active are used to describe one’s form of MS.
In Clinically Isolated Syndrome, a person experiences an episode of neurological MS Symptoms for at least 24 hrs (“Types of MS | National Multiple Sclerosis Society”). If someone has experienced one episode, they may or may not go on to develop MS. These symptoms can be accompanied by a MS lesion, damage, on a part of the brain or spinal cord, that can be seen in an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan, a non-invasive imaging test that produces a detailed image of the human body (“Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)”). If a lesion is found, the development of MS, specifically RRMS, is more likely, but if there aren’t any lesions it is most likely that they won’t develop MS. Furthermore, if multiple lesions are found it means one has had an episode before. DMT Treatments are available for high-risk MS development patients (“Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK”).
RRMS accounts for most of the MS diagnoses. Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis is defined by periods of relapses of MS, in which symptoms recur and worsen and periods of relative peace or remission in which no new symptoms emerge. RRMS can be described as active, meaning there are relapses or lessons, not active meaning that remission is in progress, worsening meaning increased disability forms relapses, and not rosening meaning no increase in disability from relapse. In addition, smoking, stress, infections, and pregnancy can provoke relapses. Similar to CIS, DMTs are used for treatment. (“Relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK”)
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis is a phase of MS in which people who previously experienced RRMS or relapses and remissions now have worsening MS. They are less likely to relapse and previous symptoms worsen. If relapses are occurring then this form of MS can be described as active for a patient, and if there are no relapses it can be described as not active. In addition, with progression can be used to describe disability accumulation and without progression can be used to describe no disability accumulation. Steroids, DMTs, and Stem Cell therapies are possible treatment options for SPMS. (“Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK”)
Lastly, Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis is a type of MS in which symptoms worsen and in turn disability accumulates over time without or with very few relapses or remissions. Therefore, PPMS doesn’t develop from RRMS, as these patients don’t really experience relapses. SPMS terms like active, not, active, with progression, and without progression can be used to describe one’s PPMS. (“Types of MS | National Multiple Sclerosis Society”)
MS affects everyone differently, some people may be diagnosed with RRMS while some are diagnosed with SPMS. Moreover, symptoms vary from person to person, and these symptoms may affect each person differently. Despite these differences, treatment and rehabilitation options are available for MS patients, for every type of MS, DMTs being the most common. Hence, there are 4 official types of MS and no matter what form of MS you have there are treatment options available.
Works Cited
“Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK.” MS Society, 22 June 2022, https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/types-ms/clinically-isolated-syndrome-cis. Accessed 18 August 2022.
“Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).” Johns Hopkins Medicine, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri. Accessed 18 August 2022.
“Relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK.” MS Society, https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/types-of-ms/relapsing-remitting-ms. Accessed 18 August 2022.
“Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) | Multiple Sclerosis Society UK.” MS Society, 22 June 2022, https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/types-of-ms/secondary-progressive-ms. Accessed 18 August 2022.
“Types of MS | National Multiple Sclerosis Society.” National MS Society, https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Types-of-MS. Accessed 18 August 2022.
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