Only about 5% to 10% of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are considered to have benign MS, defined as having little to no disability after 15 or more years, though some research suggests it could be higher (up to 18%) depending on the definition used, but it's a minority of cases, and symptoms like fatigue and cognitive issues can still occur.
It is thought that 5-20% of people with MS have benign MS. The first attack often affects vision or another sense, but the person remains active. Usually, subtle damage is occurring despite the lack of relapses.
Background. The term "benign MS" is used to describe a course of MS where people continue to have low levels of disability some years after diagnosis. Definitions vary, but the most common is an EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) score of 3 or less 10 years after the first signs of MS.
Treatment for Benign MS
There's no cure for MS, but medication can slow the disease down. Other medication can help you manage your symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you think you might have benign MS.
A small number of people with MS have only mild disease and do well without treatment. But many get worse over time. Medicines can reduce the severity of attacks of relapsing-remitting MS and how often you have them. They may also reduce or delay disability.
The exact trigger for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is unknown, but it's believed to be a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, including certain infections (like Epstein-Barr Virus), low Vitamin D levels (linked to less sunlight), smoking, obesity, stress, and potentially genetic susceptibility. These factors can trigger an autoimmune attack where the immune system mistakenly damages myelin in the central nervous system.
The term benign MS is sometimes used to describe a version of relapsing remitting MS with very mild or no attacks separated by long periods with no symptoms. 'Benign' means 'something doesn't cause any harm'.
A normal MRI with MS symptoms
There are rare cases where someone can have MS but their MRI will look clear. This happens. That doesn't mean they can't get a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, but it does make it significantly more difficult.
Research suggests that stress can worsen MS symptoms, triggering flare-ups and increasing fatigue (National Multiple Sclerosis Society). Managing mental health proactively can help stabilize symptoms, improve well-being, and enhance overall quality of life.
Abstract. Background Benign multiple sclerosis (MS), characterised by minimal disability despite long disease duration, remains poorly understood in terms of its determinants and prognostic implications.
Tests used to diagnose MS may include: MRI, which can reveal areas of MS on the brain and spinal cord. These areas are called lesions. A contrast dye may be given through an IV to highlight lesions that show the disease is in an active phase.
Although MS cannot yet be fully cured, early diagnosis and treatment slow down its progression, reduce relapses and help maintain quality of life.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease with an unpredictable course that has a broad clinical spectrum and progresses over time. If a person with MS (PwMS) shows overall mild to moderate disability even after a long duration of disease, the term benign MS (BMS) is used.
Recent changes in disease incidence and prevalence are likely to be the result of environmental factors that could have been operative in the past few decades. There is evidence to support the view that MS is a complex trait determined by both genetic and environmental factors.
About 5% of people who are confirmed to have MS do not initially have brain lesions evidenced by MRI. However, the longer a person goes without brain or spinal cord lesions on MRI, the more important it becomes to look for other possible diagnoses.
What are the early symptoms of multiple sclerosis?
More specifically, a brain or head MRI can show if there are any abnormalities in your brain or the surrounding tissues, including, but not limited to: Inflammation and swelling. Structural issues. Abnormal growths or masses.
These include fibromyalgia and vitamin B12 deficiency, muscular dystrophy (MD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), migraine, hypo-thyroidism, hypertension, Beçhets, Arnold-Chiari deformity, and mitochondrial disorders, although your neurologist can usually rule them out quite easily.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Some of the most common symptoms include: feeling extremely tired (fatigue) problems with your eyes or your vision, such as blurred vision or eye pain. numbness or a tingling feeling in different parts of the body.
Some people with MS lose sensation in their tongue. Some health care providers refer to MS-related tongue issues as “MS tongue.” Loss of sensation or numbness can make it difficult to move your tongue when you speak, chew, or swallow. Tongue numbness may also diminish sense of taste.
A small number of people with MS will have mild symptoms with little disability, but others will experience worsening symptoms that will lead to increased disability over time. Most people with MS have short periods of symptoms that resolve fully or partially after they appear.
Supplements that boost your immune response — for instance, selenium, copper, and manganese — may worsen autoimmune attacks in MS. Large doses of vitamin E and vitamin C can thin your blood, which may lead to MS complications. Single supplements can contain high doses, making them potentially more dangerous.
According to Chinese Medicine theory acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be prescribed to help considerably alleviate symptoms and slow down the progress of multiple sclerosis. There are two basic patterns of Multiple Sclerosis according to CM theory: Damp-Phlegm with Spleen Deficiency and Liver and Kidney Deficiency.
Fenebrutinib is currently being investigated in two phase 3 trials, with results due in 2025 and 2028. If the results are positive, fenebrutinib will be submitted for regulatory approval.