World Multiple Sclerosis Day, 30 May 2023 | Significance & Theme

World Multiple Sclerosis Day (World MS Day) is a global healthcare event celebrated on the 30th of May every year, intending to recognise the economic, social and cultural impact brought by multiple sclerosis disease and subsequently work on the acceptance, support and inclusion of the patients suffering from the ailment.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease which can potentially disable the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Myelin sheath is a fat covering around the nerve fibres, which helps in the quick and efficient transmission of electrical impulses along the nerve cells. In MS (Multiple Sclerosis), the myelin sheath gets disrupted by the attacks of the body’s immune system causing communicative issues between the brain and the body.

Multiple Sclerosis affects people mostly during their productive years, impacting their lives and society. Disease-modifying therapies can reduce disability and extend survival, but a cure is still lacking, and the cause of the disease is not fully understood. 

Significance of World Multiple Sclerosis Day (World MS Day)

The Atlas of MS is an open-source global compendium of data on the epidemiology of Multiple sclerosis (MS), which was first produced in 2008 and updated in 2013. It was seen that since 2013 the global prevalence of MS has increased.

Currently, it is estimated that there are about 28 lakh MS patients worldwide (i.e. 35.9 per lakh population). The incidence rate across 75 reporting countries is 2.1 per lakh/year, and the average age of diagnosis is 32 years. MS is more common in females, compared to males.

Although there are disease-modifying therapies to help the patients and ongoing research to meet the future demands, the increase in the incidence of MS calls for a dedicated event to spread awareness of MS. 

World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day is the perfect answer, encompassing and meeting the need to spread awareness, the diagnosis and the treatment, and the funding for research to curb Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2023 Theme

This year, 2023, the World Multiple Sclerosis Day theme is “MS Connections” – a continuation of the theme which was introduced in 2020. The theme emphasises the importance of: 

• building self-connection
• connections to various others and 
• connections to avail quality care for people suffering from MS. 

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is accompanied by incapacitating symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, affective disorders, emotional burden, and diminished physical functioning, among various others. These symptoms can significantly determine the daily social lives of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients bringing down their quality of life when compared with undiagnosed.

MS Connections theme will bring the focus on appropriately challenging the social barriers which predetermine the isolation of patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). 

Year By Year Themes for World MS Day

• World MS Day 2022 theme: MS Connections. 
• World MS Day 2021 theme: MS Connections.
• World MS Day 2020 theme: MS Connections.
• World MS Day 2019 theme: My Invisible MS
• World MS Day 2018 theme: Bringing Us Closer

History of World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day

The first Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day was established in 2009 by the MS International Federation (MSIF) – a unique global network of various MS organisations, extending to help people affected by MS through multiple volunteers and staff worldwide. The MSIF representatives are from various countries, such as Greece, Argentina, Australia, the United States, India, Kenya, Tunisia, the United Kingdom and Spain.

Types of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MS (Multiple Sclerosis) comes in different forms, but there are four main types which include: 

• Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) – Includes the first episode of neurological symptoms, which may or may not lead to MS. 
• Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) – Involves relapses of symptoms followed by periods of remission.
• Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) – In this, progressive worsening of symptoms is seen as time progress.
• Primary progressive MS (PPMS) – In this type of MS, steady worsening symptoms and disability are seen from the start.

The form of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) is difficult to predict, and every individual experiences a different combination of symptoms. Early treatment of CIS can delay the development of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in people at high risk. The characterisation of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) types is essential in determining the effectiveness of treatments.

Modification of factors causing Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Since Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, its prevention is not possible, but understanding the disease could show a few trigger points which could contribute to its development. 

The exact cause of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Some factors that may contribute to the development of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) include:

• The patient’s genetic makeup
• Immune system dysfunction
• Exposure to viral infections (Epstein-Barr virus)
• Chronic Smoking
• Low levels of vitamin D

Although not all of the factors can be controlled, few of them can be controlled by human intervention such as: 

• Having nutritious food and exercise to boost immunity
• Taking necessary precautions to limit viral exposure
• Avoidance of smoking 
• Safe exposure of sun for adequate vitamin D levels 

Department of Neurology