This article discusses new research from the University of British Columbia that suggests Multiple sclerosis (MS) may begin to manifest in healthcare usage patterns up to 15 years before the first classical neurological symptoms appear.
Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:
Extended Prodromal Phase: The study analyzed health records of over 12,000 people in british columbia and found that individuals who were later diagnosed with MS used healthcare services at elevated rates starting 15 years prior to their first diagnosed MS symptoms.
Challenging Assumptions: This challenges the customary understanding of when MS begins, suggesting a much longer “prodromal phase” where subtle, non-specific symptoms occur.
Early Warning Signs: The research highlights that early signs like fatigue, headache, pain, and mental health concerns (anxiety, depression) are often general and can be mistaken for other conditions.
Specific Healthcare Usage Trends: The study identified a progression of increased healthcare engagement over the 15 years:
15 years before: Increased visits to general practitioners and for general symptoms like fatigue, pain, dizziness, and mental health issues. 12 years before: Increased visits to psychiatrists.
8-9 years before: Increased visits to neurologists and ophthalmologists (possibly for vision problems).
3-5 years before: increased emergency medicine and radiology visits.
1 year before: Peak in physician visits across multiple specialties.
mental Health as an Early Indicator: Mental health-related issues appear to be among the earliest indicators in this prodromal phase. Potential for Earlier Detection: The researchers believe that recognizing and characterizing these early warning signs could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Analogy to Parkinson’s: The concept of a prodromal phase is compared to Parkinson’s disease, where mood changes, sleep disturbances, and constipation can precede motor symptoms.
* Cautionary Note: The researchers emphasize that most people experiencing these general symptoms will not develop MS.
in essence, the research suggests that MS is a disease with a very long, subtle beginning, and by understanding these early patterns of healthcare use, there’s a potential to identify individuals at risk much sooner.