Simple blood test that could revolutionise care for patients with multiple sclerosis and prevent disability

A simple blood test could revolutionise care for patients with multiple sclerosis and prevent disability, according to research.

Markers in the blood can predict how the ­disease will develop and what drugs will be ­effective, the study found.

MS is a debilitating condition that affects the brain and spinal cord and leaves people with mobility issues, memory loss and fatigue.

There are two main types of MS: relapsing remitting, in which symptoms flare and subside for periods, and primary progressive, in which there are no periods of remission and symptoms worsen steadily, leaving the suffering disabled.

Many patients with relapsing remitting MS develop the primary progressive form.

MS is a debilitating condition that affects the brain and spinal cord and leaves people with mobility issues, memory loss and fatigue. (Stock image) 

The findings could benefit the 130,000 people who live with MS in the UK, and the nearly 7,000 people who are newly diagnosed each year. (Stock image)

There is no cure but some treatment can slow progression and ease symptoms, so offering the right medication at the right time is key to keeping patients well for as long as possible. Researchers found patients with high levels of a protein that indicates nerve damage were 45 per cent more likely to suffer relapses. They showed significant benefits from more specialised drugs.

The findings, unveiled at the Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis this week, in Copenhagen, could benefit the 130,000 people who live with MS in the UK, and the nearly 7,000 people who are newly diagnosed each year.

‘The results of this study underscore the critical need for personalised treatment approaches,’ said Dr Enric Monreal, an MS specialist in Madrid and author of the study.

‘Measuring levels at disease onset, we gain valuable insights into the progression pathways of MS, enabling clinicians to identify the optimal patients for specific drugs. This approach aims to avoid unnecessary treatment-related risks.’