A clinical perspective on multiple sclerosis for enhancing diagnosis and treatment protocols

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with variable geographic prevalence. Symptoms vary widely between patients and over time, often causing neurological impairments due to damage anywhere in the CNS. MS diagnosis can be delayed after initial symptoms. The disease involves axonal damage, oligodendrocyte loss, and demyelination caused by adaptive immunity, primarily antigen-specific B and T cells targeting neural tissue. Activated lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs trigger disease onset. Although MS etiology remains unclear, morphological, genetic, and immunological evidence supports an autoimmune basis. Familial MS (FMS) suggests genetic susceptibility and may indicate a more severe course compared to sporadic cases, a distinction important for diagnosis and treatment, especially in Iraqi patients. Biomarkers that monitor disease activity, predict disability progression, and assess treatment response are vital for managing MS. This review summarizes MS prevalence, risk factors, and clinically relevant biomarkers among the Iraqi population.

Abbreviations: MS - Multiple sclerosis; FMS- familial Multiple sclerosis

Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; Demyelination; Epidemiology; Pathophysiology; Diagnosis; Treatment; Occupational therapy; Physical therapy

Citation: Omran GA, Ridha MAS, Alhillawi ZH, Auda FM, Ali BM, Sahab NA. A clinical perspective on multiple sclerosis for enhancing diagnosis and treatment protocols. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2025;29(4):418-424. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v29i4.2830

Received: March 20, 2025; Revised: May 12, 2024; Accepted: May 23, 2025