Researchers from the University of British Columbia have analyzed health records of over 12,000 people in Canada and found that those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) began using healthcare services at elevated rates 15 years before their first typical MS symptoms appeared. The study suggests that MS may be easier to detect earlier than previously thought, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
The researchers tracked physician visits in the 25 years leading up to a patient’s MS symptoms and discovered patterns of increased healthcare engagement, including visits to general practice physicians, psychiatrists, emergency medicine, and radiology. These findings indicate that people with MS have a long and complex prodromal phase, where subtle signs or other symptoms occur before the onset of more typical symptoms.
Dr. Helen Tremlett, paper author and UBC neurology professor, believes that recognizing early warning signs may help accelerate diagnosis and improve outcomes for patients. The study’s findings offer new insights into the earliest manifestations of MS and highlight the potential for earlier detection and intervention.
While true prevention of MS is unlikely due to central nervous system damage at this stage, initiating treatment with a disease-modifying therapy may halt disease progression. The researchers hope that identifying very early changes in the immune system could prevent MS by preventing autoreactive immune cells from accessing the brain and spinal cord.
This study challenges assumptions about when the disease really begins and offers a clear picture of how patients engage with healthcare providers over time. With its findings, the research team aims to accelerate diagnosis and improve outcomes for people with MS.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/multiple-sclerosis-ms-signs-symptoms-study-2107622