Study Finds Consistent Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis Across All Demographics
New UK research demonstrates that early symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including neurological and mental health issues, appear uniformly across all ethnic and social groups years before diagnosis, highlighting opportunities for earlier detection and intervention.
A comprehensive UK study has shown that the initial symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS)—such as pain, mood fluctuations, vision issues, numbness, and tingling—can manifest years before an official diagnosis, regardless of a person's ethnicity or social background. Researchers analyzed electronic health records of over 96,000 individuals, including 15,000 with MS, making this one of the largest investigations into the pre-diagnosis phase of MS to date.
While the early phase of MS, known as the prodrome, is recognized for its non-specific symptoms, little was known about how these symptoms might differ among various populations. This study confirms that early symptoms—neurological issues, concentration problems, chronic pain, and mental health challenges—are remarkably similar across genders, ethnicities, and socio-economic statuses. Notably, symptoms like neurological changes were particularly indicative of an increased risk of MS within five years prior to diagnosis.
The findings suggest that recognizing these signs early could lead to timelier diagnosis and intervention. Interestingly, neurological symptoms showed a stronger association with MS in men and individuals from Black and Asian communities, groups that traditionally face lower diagnosis rates, highlighting the importance of inclusive screening.
Experts emphasize that early detection can significantly slow disease progression and reduce long-term disability. With the development of risk prediction tools based on these findings, there is potential to identify at-risk individuals sooner and explore preventive treatments. The research utilized data from the UK's Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) Aurum, covering about 20% of the population.
This study underscores the necessity for healthcare services to be aware of and recognize early MS symptoms across all demographic groups to facilitate earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.
source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-early-symptoms-ms-ethnic-social.html
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