Multiple sclerosis (MS) could potentially be identified over a decade sooner thanks to compelling new research revealing that signs such as vision disturbances, anxiety, and fatigue can surface 15 years before the more recognized symptoms appear.

In the UK, over 150,000 individuals live with MS, an incapacitating autoimmune disorder that affects sight, writing, speech, and mobility as it causes lasting damage to nerves in the brain and spinal cord.

People usually start to experience symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40 years.  

Yet, researchers now suggest that an uptick in GP and hospital visitations related to these symptoms might indicate the disease’s early phase in individuals.

A pioneering study examined the medical records of more than 2,000 MS patients, monitoring healthcare engagements up to 25 years before typical symptoms emerged.

Researchers from British Columbia, Canada, identified a consistent rise in GP visits as early as 15 years prior to the onset of neurological symptoms.

This included an increase in appointments related to extreme fatigue, pain, dizziness, anxiety and depression.

Although experts caution that this doesn’t mean physicians will now foresee MS development 15 years ahead of neurological symptoms, these findings could facilitate earlier MS detection.

Dr Catherine Godbold, senior research communications manager at the MS society, who was not involved in the study, told the Daily Mail: ‘We know that in the years leading up to an MS diagnosis, people often see their GP more and have more recorded health issues. 

‘Now this study has shown it may begin even earlier than we thought. 

‘We need more research to know which specific combination of symptoms are the most reliable early cues but the results provide valuable information to help us better understand the very early period in MS.’ 

Researchers say understanding what’s happening in the brain and spinal cord during the prodromal stage could help diagnose the condition earlier, allowing patients to start treatment sooner and slow down the progression of the disease. 

Previously, other researchers had found symptoms that appear five years before diagnosis, such as constipation, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexual problems.  

However, because of the unpredictability of symptoms it can often take patients years to receive a diagnosis. 

Whilst the precise causes of MS are still unknown, it is thought that the condition is caused by an abnormal immune response which triggers inflammation and damages  the central nervous system. 

Specifically, it targets the myelin sheath—the protective layer of protein and fatty acids which protects the nerves that carry signals from the brain.

While MS does not directly kill, at advanced stages, it can cause weakness in the chest muscles, leading to difficulty breathing and swallowing—which can have life-threatening complications.

Those in the late stages of the illness are also extremely vulnerable to potentially deadly infections.  

The breakthrough comes following a concerning rise in cases, with around 150,000 people living with the debilitating condition in the UK.

This is up from around 130,000 in 2019, according to recent research by the MS Society.  

There is currently no cure but treatments can slow the progression of the disease. 

Treatment plans vary depending on the type of MS a patient has: relapsing remitting, secondary progressive or primary progressive MS. 

Relapse and remitting MS involves flare-ups of symptoms where they get worse (relapse) and get better (remission).

Over time it often develops into secondary progressive MS, when symptoms are there all the time, and get slowly worse.

In the less common case of primary progressive MS, symptoms slowly getting worse over time without periods of them going away or getting better.

Treatments may include several types of medication such as steroids, disease-modifying therapies, muscle relaxants, and those to treat pain and other symptoms.

Other types of support include advice on fatigue, physiotherapy, mobility equipment, talking therapies, and cognitive rehabilitation.