After epilepsy,multiple sclerosis (MS) is the second most common neurological disease among young adults, especially those between the ages of 20 and 40. Also this disease is theleading cause of disability in young adults in Europe and North America. Spain is currently considered a medium-high risk area, with a proven prevalence of 80-100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and therefore affects about 45,000 people in our country.
Although there is no known or directly attributable cause of multiple sclerosis, there are three hypotheses in this regard. “On the one hand thehygiene, since in developed countries children have less contact with infectious agents and thereforepromote autoimmune diseases. On the other handvitamin D: It has been proven that in countries with less sun the number of cases increases. And finally, thegeneticsbecause although it has been shown that this disease is not hereditary, there are a number of genetic variations that increase the risk of developing this disease “, explains Celia Oreja Guevara, Coordinator of the Study Group of Demyelinating Diseases of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) .
However, multiple sclerosis is perhaps one of the neurological diseases in which the advances in its knowledge and treatment have been most notable. “Although the incidence and prevalence have gradually increased, it must be borne in mind that the methods and efficacy to diagnose the disease have also increased,” says Celia Oreja. “This year the first oral treatment for MS was approved, reducing the number of outbreaks by more than 50%. An antispastic treatment for MS has also been approved this year that improves spasticity and spasms in these patients. “Despite the advances that have occurred in recent years, the Spanish Society of Neurology wants to remind that it is necessary to continue performing research efforts.
