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Multiple sclerosis

from Medical topics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2014

By
Rona Moss-Morris ,
Kirsten Van Kessel  and
Emma L. Witt
Edited by
Susan Ayers ,
Andrew Baum ,
Chris McManus ,
Stanton Newman ,
Kenneth Wallston ,
John Weinman  and
Robert West
Rona Moss-Morris
Affiliation:
University of Southampton
Kirsten Van Kessel
Affiliation:
The University of Auckland
Emma L. Witt
Affiliation:
The University of Auckland
Susan Ayers
Affiliation:
University of Sussex
Andrew Baum
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh
Chris McManus
Affiliation:
St Mary's Hospital Medical School
Stanton Newman
Affiliation:
University College and Middlesex School of Medicine
Kenneth Wallston
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
John Weinman
Affiliation:
United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas's
Robert West
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London
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Summary

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS) for which there is no known cause or cure. The disease is characterized by the destruction of the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves resulting in the formation of plaques. These plaques disrupt the transmission of nerve impulses leading to the symptoms of the illness which include, but are not limited to, spasticity, loss of balance and co-ordination, blurred or double vision, numbness, speech distortions, bladder and bowel problems, fatigue and cognitive dysfunction (Robinson, 1988). Plaques can occur in a variety of different sites resulting in substantial variation in the type and nature of the symptoms across individuals.

The course of the illness is also highly variable and unpredictable (Robinson, 1988). A small percentage of patients have a relatively benign course, characterized by an abrupt onset, little disease activity and no permanent disability. The majority have either a relapsing-remitting or a relapsing-progressive course. Patients experience periods of partial or total remission where the illness is inactive, interspersed with symptom relapses. Finally, MS can have a chronic-progressive course, in which there is a progressive worsening of symptoms and disability. Patients may be initially diagnosed with one type of MS, but over time progress to another.

There is substantial variation in the worldwide distribution of MS, with prevalence rates greater than 100 cases per 100 000 of population identified in many areas of the United Kingdom, Europe and North America.

Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine , pp. 786 - 789
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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References

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