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Neurology (Expert Forum)
% ms patients eventually in nursing homes
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% ms patients eventually in nursing homes
by Rene__0, Jan 07, 1998 12:00AM
Re: % ms patients eventually in nursing homes
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Posted by CCF Neuro MD on January 07, 1998 at 21:22:17:
In Reply to: % ms patients eventually in nursing homes posted by Renee on January 07, 1998 at 13:46:17:
I read a comment on a general discussion board that state 97% of ms patients will eventually end up in a nursing home unable to care for themselves. This seems awfully high, since the figures I read were that only 1 in 3 (or maybe 4) even wind up in wheelchairs. What are the stats on those who enter a nursing home due to MS? Also, is the 1 in 3 (or 1 in 4) stat correct on those using wheelchairs?
Thank you!
Dear Renee,
MS is seldom fatal,and the life expectancy is shortened only by months;concerns about the prognosis center primarily on the quality of life and prospects for disability.Most patients and clinician harbor an unfolded view of MS as a relentlessly progressive inevitably disabling disease. In fact, 15 years after the onset of MS , 20% of the patients may be bedridden or institutionalized, another 20% may require wheelchair,crutches or a cane to ambulate, but 60% will be ambulatory without assistance and may have little deficit at all. Probably one third of all MS patient go through life without any persistant disability and only intermittant , transient episodes of symptoms.The following factors predict a good prognosis in MS:
Young age at onset
Sensory symptoms at onset
Benign course during first 5 years
a patient who has accumulated little disability after 5 to 7 years is unlikely ever to do so.
This information is provided for general medical education only.
Please consult your doctor for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.
