Does MS cause early death?
Andrew Mclaughlin
Updated on January 23, 2026
Researchers concluded that the risk of early death is doubled for people with MS. They also found that the risk of premature death is higher for younger patients. For example, MS patients 39 and younger have about 3.7 times the average risk of early death, while those 40 to 59 have 2.9 times the risk.
What is the average age of death with MS?
Survival and all-cause mortality analysesMedian life expectancy for all patients with MS was 74.7 years, compared with 81.8 years in the general population (figure 1A). Median survival from disease onset of MS was 40.6 years compared with 54.6 years in the general population (figure 1B).
Does MS shorten your lifespan?
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), the lifespan of people with MS has increased over time. But the associated complications cause the average lifespan with MS to be about 7 years shorter than people who don't live with MS.Does MS always cause death?
A MS diagnosis is not a death sentence, because it can be controlled and stay in remission. However, in some cases, worsening symptoms can lead to a number of disabilities. Although the illness is not fatal, complications from MS can contribute to a person's death.What is the most common cause of death in MS patients?
Conclusions Deaths attributed to MS were commonly caused by infection (especially respiratory and urinary tract–related); conditions associated with advanced disability and immobility, such as aspiration pneumonia; and chronic respiratory disease in men.Multiple sclerosis - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology
What is end stage MS?
If an individual reaches this stage, where their disabilities result in severe difficulties which may not respond to treatment and lead to life-threatening complications, they are considered to have end stage MS.What are the 4 stages of MS?
Four disease courses have been identified in multiple sclerosis: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).Is MS treatable if caught early?
Faced with few symptoms and the prospect of side effects from medication, many people choose to delay medical intervention. However, MS is a lifelong condition. Starting treatment early can have a positive impact by potentially slowing the progression of the disease.How quickly can MS progress?
Most symptoms develop abruptly, within hours or days. These attacks or relapses of MS typically reach their peak within a few days at most and then resolve slowly over the next several days or weeks so that a typical relapse will be symptomatic for about eight weeks from onset to recovery.Does MS get worse with age?
Over time, symptoms stop coming and going and begin getting steadily worse. The change may happen shortly after MS symptoms appear, or it may take years or decades. Primary-progressive MS: In this type, symptoms gradually get worse without any obvious relapses or remissions.Can MS stop progressing?
MS is a chronic (long-term) condition. There's no cure, but effective treatments are available. Treatments for relapsing remitting MS can lengthen the time between relapses. They can also prevent or delay progression to another stage of MS.What are usually the first signs of MS?
Common early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) include:
- vision problems.
- tingling and numbness.
- pains and spasms.
- weakness or fatigue.
- balance problems or dizziness.
- bladder issues.
- sexual dysfunction.
- cognitive problems.