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Who is Likely to Get MS?

From www.nationalmssociety.org

Who Gets MS?

Anyone may develop MS, but there are some patterns.

Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.

Two-three times as many women as men have MS.

Studies indicate that genetic factors make certain individuals more susceptible than others, but there is no evidence that MS is directly inherited.

MS occurs more commonly among people with northern European ancestry, but people of African, Asian, and Hispanic backgrounds are not immune.

Approximately 400,000 Americans acknowledge having MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. Worldwide, MS may affect 2.5 million individuals.

Just the facts:

Early Onset

MS diagnosis before age 21—5% of those with MS

MS is usually considered a disease that adults get, but is occasionally diagnosed in children.

Read more about Pediatric (Childhood) MS and a support network for families

Late Onset

MS diagnosis after age 50—9.4% of those with MS

Read more about the late onset of MS

For more information

Epidemiology

Study of disease patterns that takes into account variations in geography, demographics, socioeconomic status, genetics, and infectious causes

Genetics: An overiew

Population studies and new techiques for determining genetics factors of MS

Genetics: The Basic Facts

Basic facts about MS and heredity