World MS Day, that falls in May every year, unites MS organisations globally to helps raise awareness about multiple sclerosis and those living with MS to improve public understanding and support that will move us closer to a world free of MS, said Afroz Syed, President of the Society for Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Pakistan.
She further said, "Together we are stronger! The 2015 World MS Day campaign is focused on finding positive ways to celebrate both the big and small things that people and organisations have done to help make life less difficult for those affected by MS." The leading Neurologist of Pakistan, Dr Amir Ikram said, "Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system predominantly involving the white matter."
Dr Ikram said, "There has been an increase in the prevalence of MS globally, with studies showing 30 cases in a population of 100,000 that are affected with this neurological disease. The prevalence of MS varies considerably in Asian countries. There are no epidemiological studies available from Pakistan; however, in India, the reported prevalence is three cases in a population of 100,000." Dr Ikram further explained, "The mean age of MS patients in Pakistan is 27 years, with female-to-male ratio of 3:1. It is characterised by a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, and mobility issues. Initially there was no cure for MS, but now there are treatments including oral regimes that help individuals living with the disease to have an improved quality of life." Dr Amir emphasised, "Evidence suggests that the best time for a person with MS to start treatment is as early as possible during the course of the disease.-PR