Examining the Risk Factors Associated with Multiple Sclerosis

Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, LSW

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August 10, 2015

Conclusion

Current evidence suggests that MS may be largely preventable. Understanding the mechanism, timing, and impact of risk factors will aid the development of prevention strategies.⁴

Table 1: Types of MS

Related Content

Type	Clinical Disease Course
Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)	Most common type (approximately 85% of cases) Discrete attacks that evolve over days to weeks, followed by some partial to complete recovery over weeks to months. No worsening neurological function between attacks Can be a precursor of SPMS Mean age of onset, 30 years old
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)	Initial relapses, followed by gradual, steady neurological deterioration Not associated with acute attacks.
Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)	Less common (approximately 10% to 15% of the MS population) Rapid disease progression No relapsing patterns Mean age of onset 40 years old
Progressive Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (PRMS)	Steady functional decline from disease onset Later superimposed acute attacks. Sometimes indistinguishable from PPMS during early stages until relapses occur

Loma and Hyman, 2011¹
Tremlett et al, 2009²⁰
Koch et al, 2009²¹
Koch et al, 2010²²
Lublin et al, 2014²³