Accurately prediction of the disease course for each person affected area is impossible, instead the first five years of disease activity give an overview of the developments. This estimate is based on how the disease evolves until that time and type (shape) of the disease. The degree of disability attained after 5 and 10 years is an important indicator to estimate how the disease will evolve in the future. However a large numbers of variables can occur:
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A large number of people with multiple sclerosis (about 45%) are not strongly affected by the disease and lead a normal life.
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There is a segment of the population (40%) whose disease is progressive after a number of years.
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Age and gender of the person who develops the disease may also be indicators of disease course. Some researches has shown that an appearance at the age (under 16 years) implies a favorable prognosis. But it must be mentioned that a young adult living with multiple sclerosis over 20-30 years may result in a high degree of disability, even if the evolution until that point was slow, and in the first 10-15 years it was only slightly affected. Other research has shown that a later start (55 years) among men indicates a progressive issue that the disease has.
The treatment methods for multiple sclerosis should be encouraged for the new diagnosed. Interferon beta and glatiramer acetate have the effect of slowing the process of disability, and reduce the intensity and frequency of flares . Large scale research to find a treatment to modify disease course that the disease has (even if not a cure in all) allow an optimistic view of the future. For more information you can call the Help Line SM 0 800 800 044 (free call to any network).
