Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsProgressionLife ExpectancyInfluential FactorsCauses of DeathIncreasing Life ExpectancyOutlook
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Progression
Life Expectancy
Influential Factors
Causes of Death
Increasing Life Expectancy
Outlook
Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a chronic disease, but it’s almost never a fatal one. Although there is research to suggest that some with the condition may have a slightly shorter lifespan than the general population, most people with MS die from other conditions such as heart disease,cancer, orstroke, the same as otherwise healthy people.
Life expectancy for those with MS has increased over time thanks to treatment breakthroughs and improvements inMS treatments, better healthcare, and self-care strategies that anyone withmultiple sclerosiscan implement to improve not only their longevity but quality of life.
This article covers the ways that MS can affect life expectancy. It also offers suggestions on what you can do to improve your quality of life and live a long and healthy life with MS.
1:535 Myths About Life With MS
1:53
5 Myths About Life With MS
Verywell / JR Bee
How MS Progresses
Multiple sclerosis progresses differently in different people. While some people may become disabled shortly after symptom onset, others can live for decades without experiencing disabling symptoms.
In general, there are four typical courses of disease progression:
Life Expectancy and Multiple Sclerosis
A frequently citedstatisticsays those with MS have an average lifespan that’s six to seven years shorter than that of the general population. This is based on studies comparing the average lifespan of people with MS to that of people who don’t have the disease.
For example, a 60-year study found that people with MS have an average life expectancy of 74.7 years, compared to 81.8 years for the general population.
It’s important to note that different disease progressions were found to affect life expectancy in different ways. For example, people with relapsing-remitting MS tended to live around 6.4 years longer than those with primary progressive MS.
Factors That May Affect Longevity in MS
Some research suggests that people with MS who takedisease-modifying medicationshave a longer life expectancy than those who don’t.More studies need to be done to confirm this possibility.
Aside from whether or not a person is being treated, other factors may play a role in longevity with multiple sclerosis. Life expectancy in MS may be shorter for those who:
Causes of Death in MS
It’s virtually unheard of for multiple sclerosis to become so disabling that it’s the primary reason a person dies. Most people with MS ultimately succumb to the same causes of death as the general population.
However, having multiple sclerosis can increase the risk of certain diseases and conditions that ultimately may cause death. Among the most common comorbidities reported in a 2018 study looking at 5 million people with MS who had the following conditions:
Complications of MS
People with MS may experience complications that can interfere with their quality of life. Some of these include:
Complications of MS can range from mild to severe.
Increasing Life Expectancy With MS
If you’ve recently learned you or a loved one has multiple sclerosis, you may be afraid the diagnosis is a death sentence. You also may feel you’ve lost all control of your health and quality of life. Virtually everyone with MS, however, does have some control over their health and outcome, for the following reasons:
Depression and Multiple SclerosisSome research suggests that up to 50% of those with MS may also have a depressive disorder such as major depression.This is why it’s important to check in with your healthcare provider regularly to discuss how you are feeling and whether you’re experiencing any symptoms that might suggest you need treatment for a mental health condition.
Depression and Multiple Sclerosis
Some research suggests that up to 50% of those with MS may also have a depressive disorder such as major depression.This is why it’s important to check in with your healthcare provider regularly to discuss how you are feeling and whether you’re experiencing any symptoms that might suggest you need treatment for a mental health condition.
Living Well With Multiple Sclerosis
Outlook for MS
It is possible to live a relatively normal life with MS, especially if you adopt a healthy lifestyle and seek early treatment.
Early treatment can increase your lifespan. Recent research has also found that early treatment can reduce your chances of developing a disability. For example, one recent study found that people who were treated with disease-modifying therapy within the first six months of symptoms onset were 45% less likely to become moderately disabled as the disease progressed.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with MS, it is important to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance and take your medication as instructed. Also, consider working with a therapist to help manage the psychological impact of the disease.
Summary
Mulitple sclerosis is rarely fatal. Although people may have a slightly shortened lifespan compared to those without the disease, MS itself does not usually cause death.
People who receive treatment early tend to do better than those who do not seek treatment early. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, taking medication as prescribed, and seeing your healthcare provider reguarly are all ways you can improve your quality of life and increase your chances of living longer.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Understanding multiple sclerosis.Lunde HMB, Assmus J, Myhr KM, Bø L, Grytten N.Survival and cause of death in multiple sclerosis: a 60-year longitudinal population study.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2017;88(8):621-625. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2016-315238Chalmer TA, Baggesen LM, Nørgaard M, Koch-Henriksen N, Magyari M, Sorensen PS; Danish Multiple Sclerosis Group.Early versus later treatment start in multiple sclerosis: a register-based cohort study.Eur J Neurol. 2018;25(10):1262-e110. doi:10.1111/ene.13692Edwards NC, Munsell M, Menzin J, Phillips AL.Comorbidity in US patients with multiple sclerosis.Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2018;9:97-102. doi:10.2147/PROM.S148387University of Rochester Medical Center.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Ansari NN, Tarameshlu M, Ghelichi L.Dysphagia in multiple sclerosis patients: Diagnostic and evaluation strategies.Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis. 2020;10:15-28. doi:10.2147/DNND.S198659Dereli M, Ozcan Kahraman B, Kahraman T.A narrative review of respiratory impairment, assessment, and rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.Dubai Med J. 2022;5(1):78-88. doi:10.1159/000521444Patten SB, Marrie RA, Carta MG.Depression in multiple sclerosis.Int Rev Psychiatry. 2017;29(5):463-472. doi:10.1080/09540261.2017.1322555Additional ReadingEdwards NC, Munsell M, Menzin J, et al.Comorbidity in US Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2018;9:97-102. doi:10.2147/PROM.S148387Feinstein A, Pavisian B.Multiple Sclerosis and Suicide.Mult Scler. 2017;23(7):923-927. doi:10.1177/1352458517702553Marrie RA et al.Effect of comorbidity on mortality in multiple sclerosis.Neurology.2015;85(3):240-7. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000001718
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Understanding multiple sclerosis.Lunde HMB, Assmus J, Myhr KM, Bø L, Grytten N.Survival and cause of death in multiple sclerosis: a 60-year longitudinal population study.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2017;88(8):621-625. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2016-315238Chalmer TA, Baggesen LM, Nørgaard M, Koch-Henriksen N, Magyari M, Sorensen PS; Danish Multiple Sclerosis Group.Early versus later treatment start in multiple sclerosis: a register-based cohort study.Eur J Neurol. 2018;25(10):1262-e110. doi:10.1111/ene.13692Edwards NC, Munsell M, Menzin J, Phillips AL.Comorbidity in US patients with multiple sclerosis.Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2018;9:97-102. doi:10.2147/PROM.S148387University of Rochester Medical Center.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Ansari NN, Tarameshlu M, Ghelichi L.Dysphagia in multiple sclerosis patients: Diagnostic and evaluation strategies.Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis. 2020;10:15-28. doi:10.2147/DNND.S198659Dereli M, Ozcan Kahraman B, Kahraman T.A narrative review of respiratory impairment, assessment, and rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.Dubai Med J. 2022;5(1):78-88. doi:10.1159/000521444Patten SB, Marrie RA, Carta MG.Depression in multiple sclerosis.Int Rev Psychiatry. 2017;29(5):463-472. doi:10.1080/09540261.2017.1322555Additional ReadingEdwards NC, Munsell M, Menzin J, et al.Comorbidity in US Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2018;9:97-102. doi:10.2147/PROM.S148387Feinstein A, Pavisian B.Multiple Sclerosis and Suicide.Mult Scler. 2017;23(7):923-927. doi:10.1177/1352458517702553Marrie RA et al.Effect of comorbidity on mortality in multiple sclerosis.Neurology.2015;85(3):240-7. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000001718
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Understanding multiple sclerosis.Lunde HMB, Assmus J, Myhr KM, Bø L, Grytten N.Survival and cause of death in multiple sclerosis: a 60-year longitudinal population study.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2017;88(8):621-625. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2016-315238Chalmer TA, Baggesen LM, Nørgaard M, Koch-Henriksen N, Magyari M, Sorensen PS; Danish Multiple Sclerosis Group.Early versus later treatment start in multiple sclerosis: a register-based cohort study.Eur J Neurol. 2018;25(10):1262-e110. doi:10.1111/ene.13692Edwards NC, Munsell M, Menzin J, Phillips AL.Comorbidity in US patients with multiple sclerosis.Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2018;9:97-102. doi:10.2147/PROM.S148387University of Rochester Medical Center.Multiple sclerosis (MS).Ansari NN, Tarameshlu M, Ghelichi L.Dysphagia in multiple sclerosis patients: Diagnostic and evaluation strategies.Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis. 2020;10:15-28. doi:10.2147/DNND.S198659Dereli M, Ozcan Kahraman B, Kahraman T.A narrative review of respiratory impairment, assessment, and rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.Dubai Med J. 2022;5(1):78-88. doi:10.1159/000521444Patten SB, Marrie RA, Carta MG.Depression in multiple sclerosis.Int Rev Psychiatry. 2017;29(5):463-472. doi:10.1080/09540261.2017.1322555
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Understanding multiple sclerosis.
Lunde HMB, Assmus J, Myhr KM, Bø L, Grytten N.Survival and cause of death in multiple sclerosis: a 60-year longitudinal population study.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2017;88(8):621-625. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2016-315238
Chalmer TA, Baggesen LM, Nørgaard M, Koch-Henriksen N, Magyari M, Sorensen PS; Danish Multiple Sclerosis Group.Early versus later treatment start in multiple sclerosis: a register-based cohort study.Eur J Neurol. 2018;25(10):1262-e110. doi:10.1111/ene.13692
Edwards NC, Munsell M, Menzin J, Phillips AL.Comorbidity in US patients with multiple sclerosis.Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2018;9:97-102. doi:10.2147/PROM.S148387
University of Rochester Medical Center.Multiple sclerosis (MS).
Ansari NN, Tarameshlu M, Ghelichi L.Dysphagia in multiple sclerosis patients: Diagnostic and evaluation strategies.Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis. 2020;10:15-28. doi:10.2147/DNND.S198659
Dereli M, Ozcan Kahraman B, Kahraman T.A narrative review of respiratory impairment, assessment, and rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.Dubai Med J. 2022;5(1):78-88. doi:10.1159/000521444
Patten SB, Marrie RA, Carta MG.Depression in multiple sclerosis.Int Rev Psychiatry. 2017;29(5):463-472. doi:10.1080/09540261.2017.1322555
Edwards NC, Munsell M, Menzin J, et al.Comorbidity in US Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2018;9:97-102. doi:10.2147/PROM.S148387Feinstein A, Pavisian B.Multiple Sclerosis and Suicide.Mult Scler. 2017;23(7):923-927. doi:10.1177/1352458517702553Marrie RA et al.Effect of comorbidity on mortality in multiple sclerosis.Neurology.2015;85(3):240-7. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000001718
Edwards NC, Munsell M, Menzin J, et al.Comorbidity in US Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.Patient Relat Outcome Meas. 2018;9:97-102. doi:10.2147/PROM.S148387
Feinstein A, Pavisian B.Multiple Sclerosis and Suicide.Mult Scler. 2017;23(7):923-927. doi:10.1177/1352458517702553
Marrie RA et al.Effect of comorbidity on mortality in multiple sclerosis.Neurology.2015;85(3):240-7. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000001718
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
