Disease Status – Years of MS & Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS):
As of June 2011, NARCOMS participants on average have been living with MS for 19 years, though this ranges from the newly diagnosed to persons with more than a 30 year history of MS symptoms. Almost half (47%) of participants are still relatively mobile, with a PDDS in the range of Normal (0) to a Gait Disability (3), for more on Mobility & MS see Feature Focus.
Treatment
Most participants, 55%, had used a disease modifying therapy in the 6 months prior to the Spring 2011 survey; with most taking a form of interferon-beta (Avonex, Betaseron or Rebif) or Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone).