title: Multiple sclerosis in men: management considerations.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong disease typically affecting individuals in young to middle adulthood. There are recognized sex differences in MS onset and clinical course. MS affects approximately three times more women than men, thus resulting in less attention to the male experience (i.e. diagnosis, management, societal dimensions). Here, we review current scientific evidence on sex differences in MS risk and course, highlight potential sources of bias, and suggest avenues of further inquiry. We then describe what is known about male experiences with MS diagnosis, treatment, and symptom management (particularly mood and sexual function). Finally, we consider ways in which healthcare providers might engage male patients in the broader aspects of living with MS (e.g. familial and societal relationships) to influence their long-term quality of life (QOL). When possible, we draw from published sources to underscore our collective clinical and scientific experiences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Sandler Neurosciences Center, University of California, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. Riley.Bove@ucsf.edu.
authors.forename: Riley
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bove
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McHenry
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph Hospital Neurology Clinic, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellwig
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.|Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houtchens
authors.affiliation: School of Population and Public Health and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Razaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tremlett
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.|Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Sadovnick
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.|Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rintell
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
keywords: Depression; Gender; Quality of life; Sex difference; Sexual function; Suicide