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Types of MS

Multiple sclerosis has been grouped into several main types. They include:

• Relapsing-remitting MS - characterized by clearly defined attacks (relapses) followed by partial or complete recovery (remissions); most common form (70% at the time of diagnosis)
  
  
• Primary-progressive MS - relatively rate (10 to 15% at time of diagnosis), people with this type of MS have a nearly continuous worsening of MS from the beginning with no clear relapses or remissions.
  
  
• Secondary-progressive - about half of people with relapsing-remitting MS start or worsen within 10 years of diagnosis, with possibility of increasing levels of disability.
  
  
• Progressive-relapsing - relatively rare, combines attacks with steady worsening and no remissions.
  
  
• Benign MS - few attacks with long periods of remission and little disability after 15 years, about 20 ­25 % who were diagnosed originally with relapsing-remitting MS have this type.
  
  
• Malignant MS - rapidly progressive disability within five years of diagnosis; quite rare