multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Life Expectancy with Multiple Sclerosis

Life expectancy for people who have multiple sclerosis is growing longer with every passing year, particularly with the advancement of medical science, new drugs and better care and understanding of the disease.

Although the life expectancy for someone with multiple sclerosis is not quite as long as an otherwise 'normal' individual, it is very nearly the same and the gap is growing increasingly shorter.

• In 1936, only 8% of patients were reported to survive beyond 20 years after onset of illness
• In 1961, over 80% of Multiple Sclerosis patients were reported surviving to 20 years after onset of illness
• 2002 – A patient with Multiple Sclerosis can expect to live to average population life-expectancy minus seven years (mean life expectancy - 7 years)