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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, affecting approximately 400,000 people in the U.S. and more than two million people worldwide. The inflammatory demyelination and axonal injury that characterize MS result in significant clinical disability and economic burden. This study makes a useful contribution to the literature on temporal changes in the incidence of MS by sex and race/ ethnicity. A map of the U.S. displays to show a visual about the 400,000 people affected by MS in the country. An image of Earth displays to show a visual about the more than 2 million people worldwide affected by MS. FINDINGS • Between 2007 and 2016, a total of 2,031 active component service members received incident diagnoses of MS • The overall unadjusted incidence rate was 14.9 cases per 100,000 p-yrs • During the surveillance period, unadjusted annual incidence rates of MS decreased by 25.4% • The highest overall incidence rates were observed among service members diagnosed after age 30 with rates peaking among those aged 40 years or older. First line graph shows: annual incidence rates of MS were higher among female service members than male service members and decreased by 42.2% during the 10-year period. Second line graph shows: The higher overall incidence of MS among non-Hispanic blacks was found among females, and to a lesser degree among males. Median age at MS case-defining diagnosis • Age 32 years among active component members • Age 37 years among reserve / guard members • Age 48 years among non-service member beneficiaries Common MS Symptoms • Numbness • Tingling in limbs • Visual Loss • Double Vision • Mother Weakness • Gait Disturbance Images showings these symptoms display. Access the full report in MSMR Vol. 24 No. 3 August 2017 at Health.mil/MSMR

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, affecting approximately 400,000 people in the U.S. and more than two million people worldwide. This infographic documents data on the temporal changes in the incidence of MS by sex and race/ ethnicity.

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