Worldwide MS cases rise, but related deaths fall

A new global study has revealed that while more adults are being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) than ever before, the number of deaths linked to MS complications has declined over the past three decades.

Between 1990 and 2021, researchers found that MS diagnoses have steadily increased around the world, but improvements in treatment and care have led to people living longer, with fewer dying from MS-related complications. Advances in disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have played a key role in slowing disease progression and improving outcomes.

The study analysed global MS trends in people aged 20-54. In 2021 alone, nearly 52,000 people were newly diagnosed with MS worldwide, while just over 4,700 deaths were recorded due to related complications.

Although MS rates remain highest in Europe and North America, the researchers noted a rise in diagnoses in countries where MS was previously considered rare, such as India and parts of Latin America. They suggest this may be partly due to better access to diagnostic tools and healthcare, closing historical gaps in detection.

However, the gender gap has widened. Women are now two and a half times more likely than men to be diagnosed with MS – a disparity that has grown over the past 30 years.

Importantly, the study also found that people with MS in the 2020s tend to experience less severe disability compared to those diagnosed in the 1990s. This shift reflects major progress in MS care, particularly with the introduction of more effective treatments.