title: Multiple Sclerosis: Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Therapeutic Aspects.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune and degenerative disease of the central nervous system that affects young people. MS develops in genetically susceptible individuals exposed to different unknown triggering factors. Different phenotypes are described. About 15% of patients present with a primary progressive course and 85% with a relapsing-remitting course. An increasing number of disease-modifying treatments has emerged. Although encouraging, the number of drugs challenges the neurologist because each treatment has its own risk-benefit profile. Patients should be involved in the decision-making process to ensure good treatment and safety monitoring adherence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology-Neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia, Edifici Cemcat, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Ps Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain. Electronic address: avidal@cem-cat.org.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vidal-Jordana
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology-Neuroimmunology, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia, Edifici Cemcat, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Ps Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Montalban
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Symptoms; Treatment