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Multiple sclerosis patients are able to live far longer today

Publicly released:
New Zealand

A 15-year study of New Zealanders with multiple sclerosis shows that the median survival time from when their symptoms first start, is 45 years. This is similar to other countries which have run studies like this, and it's far longer than the reported median survival in 1969 of only 17 years. However the study also found that MS patients have a median survival age of 7.2 years lower than the general population, and had twice the overall mortality risk.

Journal/
conference: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
Research:Paper
Organisation/s: University of Otago, University of Tasmania, Wellington Regional Hospital, New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch Hospital
Funder: This study was supported by the NZ Neurological Foundation (grant number 2024 CHF) and The Neurology Trust.
Media Contact/s
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