Moving the dial on MS
MS Australia’s recent analysis of Australia’s MS landscape reveals significant progress and challenges. MSWA Research Coordinator, Julia Tran, explains the data’s implications, highlighting advancements made and the potential for further breakthroughs with continued investment in research and treatment.
Forms of MS
Multiple Sclerosis is a condition in which myelin, nerve fibres, and neurons in the brain and spinal cord can be affected. MS symptoms can come in waves or progressively get worse over time.
- 85% Relapsing remitting MS (RRMS)
- 12% Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)
- 3% Unknown MS disease type
Moving the dial on…better treatments
Many people diagnosed with RRMS will eventually develop secondary progressive MS (SPMS), which results in a gradual worsening of symptoms over time, even if there are no
clear attacks. There is currently no cure for MS. However, with progress in research and therapeutics, there are now 15 disease modifying therapies available in Australia to help manage MS symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.
Long term benefits are observed in RRMS for those who switched to natalizumab after a first-generation therapy. The treatment prevents sudden changes in physical function called 'relapses'. Relapses have dropped dramatically with treatment.
Due to better treatments, the average time from MS onset to progressive MS has increased from 15 years to 30 years over the last two decades. However, disease-modifying treatment is still very limited for those with PPMS. Further advances in therapeutic approaches and treatments are needed to better target the needs of individual patients and monitor effectiveness of treatments.
Moving the dial on…early diagnosis
Although the average time to diagnose from the experience of first symptoms has reduced from 5 years before 2000 to 3.9 years in 2014-2021; there is still a need for better detection tools and improving patient access to tools so that they can receive disease modifying treatments early.
Moving the dial on…early intervention
It is found that individuals treated early with natalizumab compared to first generation therapy experienced improvements in relapse rates and disability improvement.
Early treatment reduced the likelihood of conversion to MS over the short and long term compared to placebo, no treatment and delayed treatment.
Individuals who accessed MRI scans for other reasons and detected MS in their central nervous system represent the earliest detectable preclinical phase of MS. This population received earliest access to treatment reducing the risk of conversion of MS by 72%
Moving the dial on…mortality
In 1979, the mortality rates for Australians with MS was twice that of the general population. The mortality rate for Austrailans with MS is now the same as the general population.
Moving the dial on…access to treatments
Comparing Australians with MS and New Zealanders with MS where populations were similar on genetic, environmental and economic factors, Australians with MS have better access to treatments. Up to 93% of Australians have ever been treated. By comparison, up to 50% of New Zealanders have ever been treated.
Moving the dial on…quality of life
Better access to treatments shows improvements in quality of life, including including better mobility, higher ability to self-care, higher ability to perform usual activities, lower levels of pain or discomfort and lower levels of anxiety and depression.
