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Multiple sclerosis

Early Warning Signs of Multiple Sclerosis Revealed by Canadian Study

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Canadian researchers have discovered that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may start experiencing new health issues up to 15 years before the classic symptoms of the disease become apparent. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found a noticeable uptick in patient visits to general practitioners and specialists for issues such as fatigue, pain, and mental health concerns 15 years before the onset of classic MS symptoms. This finding has the potential to open the door to earlier detection and intervention.

Key Takeaways:

  • People with MS may start experiencing new health issues up to 15 years before the classic symptoms of the disease become apparent.
  • The earliest signs of MS include visits to general practitioners and specialists for issues such as fatigue, pain, mental health concerns, and dizziness.
  • Twelve years before symptom onset, visits to psychiatrists began to rise.
  • Eight to nine years before symptom onset, visits to neurologists and eye specialists rose, perhaps linked to issues such as blurred vision or eye pain.
  • Three to five years before symptom onset, researchers noted a rise in visits to emergency departments and/or radiology facilities.
  • One year before symptom onset, visits peaked for a wide range of different physician types, such as neurologists, radiologists, and emergency doctors.
  • The study's findings suggest that MS has a long and complex prodromal phase, where something is happening beneath the surface but hasn't yet declared itself as MS.
  • Mental health-related issues appeared to be among the earliest indicators of MS.

Statistics:

  • 15 years before symptom onset, there was a noticeable uptick in patient visits to general practitioners.
  • 12 years before symptom onset, visits to psychiatrists began to rise.
  • 8-9 years before symptom onset, visits to neurologists and eye specialists rose.
  • 3-5 years before symptom onset, visits to emergency departments and/or radiology facilities rose.
  • 1 year before symptom onset, visits peaked for a wide range of different physician types.

Sources:

  • University of British Columbia, news release, Aug. 1, 2025
  • JAMA Network Open

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