Causes
Although the cause of MS is not clearly defined, there are genetic and environmental factors that are closely related to the prevalence of the disease. More recent epidemiological studies have suggested infection and vascular problems may also be risk factors.
The majority of sufferers are diagnosed with MS in their twenties; but MS can occur, albeit more rarely, on either side of this age range. Statistically, MS lowers life expectancy by between five and ten years but can unfortunately have serious affects on quality of life before this.
Also, the disease also appears to have “sexual preference”, with women being three times more likely to suffer from MS than men. Interestingly, these figures are more similar when the MS is progressive or diagnosed later in life. Although why women appear to be more predisposed to the condition is unknown, this trait is a common characteristic of many autoimmune diseases.