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MS Fact
More than twice as many women as men have MS.
Types of multiple sclerosis (MS)
There are four different types of disease courses in multiple sclerosis. Keep in mind that MS is different for everyone, and experiences vary from person to person. Your health care professional can determine a multiple sclerosis diagnosis and course, but because there is no single test for MS, this may take some time.
Relapsing multiple sclerosis (RRMS)
- Approximately 85% of people with multiple sclerosis are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
- In relapsing MS, people have clearly defined periods—which your health care professional may refer to as relapses, exacerbations or attacks—when MS symptoms worsen or new ones appear.
- These relapses are followed by a long or short period of remission when symptoms partially or completely go away.
Disease-modifying drugs work to reduce disease activity and relapse and may even help slow the progression of disability when taken as directed.
Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS)
Another type of multiple sclerosis is secondary-progressive MS (SPMS). Some people, following an initial period with relapsing MS, may develop a secondary-progressive course in which symptoms and disability get progressively worse. Relapses and periods of remission are less common.
It is impossible for your health care professional to predict if, or when, you will go on to develop SPMS.
Primary-progressive MS is relatively rare, occurring in about 10% of people living with multiple sclerosis. Typically, people living with primary progressive MS experience a slow, but steady, worsening of the disease from its onset, with no distinct periods of relapse or remission. The rate of progression varies for people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis and may even include periods of temporary minor improvement.
MS is different for everyone, and experiences vary from person to person
Progressive-relapsing MS is also characterized by a steady worsening of the disease. Unlike primary-progressive MS, people living with progressive-relapsing MS typically experience acute periods of relapse from which they may or may not recover. This is also a relatively rare type of multiple sclerosis, occurring in approximately 5% of people living with multiple sclerosis.
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