ABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, inflammatory, demyelinating, and degenerative disorder of the central nervous system and one of the most common causes of disability in young adults. It is estimated that there are about 2.5 million people living with MS worldwide, with the onset typically occurring between the ages of 20 and 40 with a mean age of 30. MS was initially described as a disease of white matter, but people now know that it is characterized by inflammation, demyelination of white and gray matter, as well as axonal injury. The clinical course of the disease varies greatly and is completely unpredictable. The pharmacologic treatment of MS is threefold and involves treatment of acute attacks, disease-modifying drugs, and symptomatic therapies. The life span of a patient with MS is slightly less than the general population. MS requires a multidisciplinary approach to promote positive patient outcomes.
