The disease is classified according to three broad categories:
1. Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
The majority (85%) of people diagnosed with MS are diagnosed with this type; it is characterised by definite periods of symptoms (relapses) which can last from a few days to months or longer, interspersed with periods of apparent recovery (remittance) of symptoms. It was initially thought that damage was only accumulated during relapsing periods but recent research has shown damage to be accumulating during remitting periods too.
2. Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)
Most people (around 65%) diagnosed with RRMS will go on to develop Secondary Progressive MS after around 15 years. SPMS is characterised by a steady worsening of symptoms with no clear remission periods; it can be difficult to diagnose but neurologists generally look for a period of 6 months showing clear progression of symptoms before this diagnosis is made.
The MS Society indicates that accumulation of disability leading to SPMS diagnosis comes about as a result of:
i. incomplete recovery from relapses
ii. gradual progression of the condition
It is unusual (but by no means impossible) to receive a diagnosis of SPMS in the first instance as this indicates that the RRMS phase of disease activity has been undetected.
3. Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)
Around 10% of people are diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS from the outset of the disease. PPMS is characterised by a steady worsening of disability without any apparent relapses and is usually diagnosed in people when they reach their 40s and 50s; at this age people are more likely to have other conditions too making diagnosis challenging. It can affect younger people from the outset too although this is rare. Equal numbers of men and women have PPMS compared with the skewed female profile of RRMS sufferers. A sub-type of PPMS can also be evident where disease progression is steady but interspersed with definite relapses in symptoms; this is termed Primary Relapsing MS and is even more challenging to diagnose.
It's worth noting that MS is a very individual condition with no two people experiencing exactly the same symptom or progression profile meaning it can be lengthy and difficult to diagnose.
1. Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
The majority (85%) of people diagnosed with MS are diagnosed with this type; it is characterised by definite periods of symptoms (relapses) which can last from a few days to months or longer, interspersed with periods of apparent recovery (remittance) of symptoms. It was initially thought that damage was only accumulated during relapsing periods but recent research has shown damage to be accumulating during remitting periods too.
2. Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS)
Most people (around 65%) diagnosed with RRMS will go on to develop Secondary Progressive MS after around 15 years. SPMS is characterised by a steady worsening of symptoms with no clear remission periods; it can be difficult to diagnose but neurologists generally look for a period of 6 months showing clear progression of symptoms before this diagnosis is made.
The MS Society indicates that accumulation of disability leading to SPMS diagnosis comes about as a result of:
i. incomplete recovery from relapses
ii. gradual progression of the condition
It is unusual (but by no means impossible) to receive a diagnosis of SPMS in the first instance as this indicates that the RRMS phase of disease activity has been undetected.
3. Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)
Around 10% of people are diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS from the outset of the disease. PPMS is characterised by a steady worsening of disability without any apparent relapses and is usually diagnosed in people when they reach their 40s and 50s; at this age people are more likely to have other conditions too making diagnosis challenging. It can affect younger people from the outset too although this is rare. Equal numbers of men and women have PPMS compared with the skewed female profile of RRMS sufferers. A sub-type of PPMS can also be evident where disease progression is steady but interspersed with definite relapses in symptoms; this is termed Primary Relapsing MS and is even more challenging to diagnose.
It's worth noting that MS is a very individual condition with no two people experiencing exactly the same symptom or progression profile meaning it can be lengthy and difficult to diagnose.
Sources:
MS Society (2017) Types of MS
MS Trust (2014) Types of MS
MS Society (2017) Types of MS
MS Trust (2014) Types of MS
