Early onset multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset is usually in adult life (age 20–40 years). Discordant data have been reported concerning the frequency of early onset MS (EOMS) that ranges from 2.7% to 5%, whereas there is a general agreement on prevalence of female sex, particularly after puberty. The initial symptoms in EOMS are frequently characterized by visual loss whereas the other functional systems are involved with a variable frequency. Literature data show that EOMS tends to have a relapsing-remitting course, a high rate of recovery from the initial attack, a long time interval between the first and second attacks and a slow progression rate. A poor prognosis is reported in a few cases of EOMS and seems to be related to number of relapses and to the delay between the first and second attacks.