Gender differences in MS related pain, correlation with MRI lesion localization and burden of disease

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). It is the most common cause of acquired neurologic dysfunction in young patients. It is an autoimmune condition and is more prevalent in woman.1 The incidence of MS in the United States is approximately 85-100 cases per 100,000 people per year. The ratio of women to men has been estimated to be 2.6:1.1 The evaluation and diagnosis of MS is critically dependent on the findings of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Characteristically MS plaques are multiple, hyperintense in T2 weighted images and Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR). Hypointense lesions in T1-WI are associated with areas of myelin loss.2 Brain MRI is important in treatment decisions as lesions may be clinically silent.