What Is the Life Expectancy of Multiple Sclerosis?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

While life expectancy has been increasing for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), recent evidence suggests life expectancy is lower (about 7 years) than the general population. However, there is considerable variation in disease progression on an individual basis.

Explanation

The life expectancy for a person with MS varies widely based on factors like sex, age at diagnosis, frequency of relapses, severity of relapses and other personal lifestyle factors. However, life expectancy has been increasing for people with MS. Recent evidence suggests life expectancy is lower by about 7 years than the general population.

(References)

Lunde HMB, Assmus J, Myhr KM, BL, Grytten N. Survival and cause of death in multiple sclerosis: a 60-year longitudinal population study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2017 Aug;88(8):621-625. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2016-315238. Epub 2017 Apr 1. PMID: 28365589; PMCID: PMC5537547.

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