Understanding multiple sclerosis as a progressive disease from the start

Expert neurologists share their views on understanding the progressive nature of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease from the start, and this progression can manifest itself in many different ways. When discussing this with people living with the disease, it’s important to take an active role in helping them better understand what disease progression means when it comes to their health.

We heard from world-leading neurologists who break down the science behind disease progression in MS, discuss the importance of early management of progression and their views on why it’s important for patients to understand and recognize this progression in order to feel empowered to take control of managing their disease.

So I think it's important for patients to recognize that progression can occur in all disease stages of MS...

Prof. Oivind Torkildsen

Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen

The early management of progression is important for two big reasons…

James Overell

Principal International Medical Director at Roche

Telling patients that MS is a disease that comes with progression and destruction of tissue from the very first day is the first and most important thing...

Prof. Sven Schippling

University of Zurich

So one of the main questions is how we can empower patients so they know about the risk of progression in disease and how to prevent that, so I think we can do that with education about the disease, we try to do that with all our patients…

Prof. Oivind Torkildsen

Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen

This idea that you suddenly become progressive is completely wrong. It starts from the very beginning...

Prof. Gavin Giovannoni

Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry

Disease progression can be a complicated topic to understand. The more we’re able to take an active role in truly understanding not only what disease progression means when it comes to MS, but also understanding that while it may not present itself in the same way in each person – it’s something that can be managed and treated as early as possible.

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