#MSParis2017 – MS Places Heavy Burdens on Women, Study in 8 European Countries Shows

This disproportionate burden of MS in women versus men was the focus of a study, “The Socioeconomic Impact of MS on Women in Europe,” that was commissioned by Merck and presented Oct. 25 at the 7th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS Meeting in Paris.

Conducted by Charles River Associates, it involved MS associations in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Together, these eight countries are home to 72 percent of Europe’s MS population, and an estimated 77 percent of European women with MS.

The study — based on a review of available literature, interviews and an online survey of 807 women with MS — revealed that about 21 percent of survey respondents had been misdiagnosed prior to their real MS diagnosis. On average, women have to go through five visits to clinical practitioners and spend about half a year to be correctly diagnosed.

This delay creates a sense of uncertainty and emotional upheaval, preventing a suitable and early therapeutic intervention. Even worse, it also threatens relationships. About 41 percent of the women who responded to the survey had separated or divorced since their MS diagnosis; of these, 88 percent said MS was a contributing factor in the decision. In addition, 36 percent said MS had forced them to decide not to have children at all, or to alter the timing of when to get pregnant.

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