MS

Question 1

What is MS?

Answer 1

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is defined as an inflammatory demyelinating disease characterised by the presence of episodic neurological dysfunction in at least two areas of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves) separated in time and space.

Question 2

What are the risk factors of MS?

Answer 2

> Female
> Northern Latitude
> Smoking
> Genes
> Vit D def
> EBV

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of MS?

Answer 3

> Mono-ocular disturbance in one eye
> Peculiar sensory phenomena
> Foot drag
> Leg cramp
> Fatigue
> Urinary frequency
> Bowel dysfunction
> Spasticity 
> Increased deep tendon reflexes 
> Imbalance/ co ordination

Question 4

What is the epidemiology of MS?

Answer 4

There is a significantly skewed sex ratio, with a female to male ratio of around 3:1, and the disparity appears to be increasing.

In Europe and North America the estimated prevalence of MS is 1 in 800, and the annual incidence is between 2 and 10 cases per 100,000 population.

Question 5

What investigations would you do for MS?

Answer 5

> MRI brain and spinal cord- lesions

> FBC, metabolic panel, TSH and B12- should all be normal