multiple sclerosis (ms) in canada: stats, impact and resources
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canada has one of the highest rates of ms in the world, third only to europe and the united states.
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multiple sclerosis (ms) is a degenerative autoimmune disorder that occurs when immune cells mistake the protective covering of nerve fibres, known as myelin, as harmful threats in the body. this form of friendly fire leads to damage to those nerves and the central nervous system, leading to degeneration in nerves that communicate with the rest of the body and the ensuing symptoms of ms.
the disease can be both episodic, with bouts of symptoms occurring between periods of feeling well, and progressive, where the symptoms worsen over time.
there is no cure for ms, and as many as 90,000 canadians are currently living with the disease.
multiple sclerosis stats in canada
canada has one of the highest ms rates worldwide, third only to europe and the united states. currently, it’s estimated that 90,000 canadians over the age of 20 live with the disease, or 290 out of every 100,000 population. roughly 70 per cent of ms cases are found in females.
the average age in canada at which people get diagnosed with ms is 43, but there are ranges in how often people are diagnosed and at what age. for example, 65 per cent of new diagnoses in canada happen when someone is between the ages of 20 and 49, whereas 35 per cent typically occur after the age of 50.
in rare cases, those under the age of 20 can be diagnosed, with rates for diagnosis in children being significantly lower at 0.99 to 1.24 cases for every 100,000 population.
even though diagnosis often occurs later, the average age at which people begin experiencing ms symptoms is roughly 32, with diagnosis coming five years following symptoms. it takes women longer than men to receive a diagnosis, with women accounting for the five-year period and men getting diagnosed roughly 2.6 years following the onset of symptoms.
the diagnosis gap widens with age. the younger a person is when they start experiencing symptoms, the longer it typically takes to receive a diagnosis.
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the prevalence of ms has increased in canada at an average rate of 1.5 per cent per year since 2011. according to health canada, this increase in prevalence rates is primarily due to people being diagnosed earlier in their disease progression and therapies that lead to a longer life expectancy for those living with ms.
the average life expectancy for someone living with ms is roughly five to ten years shorter than that of those in the general population, with people living to an average of 76 years of age. life expectancy rates continue to increase for people with ms due to better treatments available. according to ms canada, only roughly 44 per cent of people with ms die from their disease or complications of their disease.
impact of multiple sclerosis on canadian society
ms has a significant impact on canadian society as well as those who have the disease. in total, the annual cost of ms in canada is approximately $3.4 billion, representing the combined expenses of direct health costs, productivity loss, and other related costs associated with living with a chronic disease.
when broken down by person, the average cost faced by canadian society when someone is diagnosed with ms is roughly $42,880 per year.
delayed diagnosis also affects direct health costs, productivity loss and other related costs. between 2020 and 2024, delayed diagnosis led to an additional $578.2 million total expenditure cost for ms.
in terms of the healthcare system, which encompasses inpatient and outpatient care, emergency visits, consultations with specialists, rehabilitation services, pharmaceuticals, and comorbidity care, the annual cost is approximately $1,311.80 per person with ms.
productivity loss, which makes up reduced employment, absenteeism, premature mortality, and informal care, accounts for $1,332.20 per person per year, and other costs, including aids and home modifications, formal care, long-term care, support payments, and efficiency losses amounted to $787.50 per year per person with ms.
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impact of ms on patients’ emotional and physical well-being
aside from the physical symptoms that people with ms experience, they are also at a higher risk of developing other comorbidities that affect their overall well-being.
research shows that people living with ms are at a higher risk of developing other physical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and chronic lung diseases.
roughly 16.9 per cent of people with ms will also develop hypertension, whereas 13.5 per cent are at a higher risk of chronic lung diseases. migraines as an ms comorbidity occur in as many as 14.6 per cent of people living with the disease, and 5.7 per cent also have diabetes.
the emotional well-being of people living with ms can be significantly and negatively affected due to symptoms that affect both their emotional and physical health. changes in their ability to perform daily tasks can reduce their quality of life, making it difficult for them to work, participate in home life and socialize with friends.
according to health canada, people living with ms develop mood disorders at a threefold rate when compared to the general population.
depression is often found in a high number of people living with ms. according to research, 23.7 per cent of people with ms will develop depression alongside it. anxiety is also at a higher rate in people with ms at 21.9 per cent.
bipolar disorder is also higher in people with ms, with a lifetime prevalence rate of eight per cent.
some research shows that rates of suicide or suicide attempts are also three times higher in people with ms than in the general population.
resources and support
there are many resources and various supports available for people living with ms in canada. the ms society of canada is the primary resource for canadians, offering a range of services that include support groups, online information, and updates on ongoing research in the treatment space. they also offer:
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- ms knowledge network that helps connect people with ms navigators who provide personalized guidance on managing symptoms
- 1:1 peer support, a program that connects those living with ms with volunteers who have lived experience to provide a sense of community and guidance
- virtual peer support programs
- ms walk, a community event to raise awareness and funds
the government of canada also offers people living with ms an opportunity to reduce their taxable income with the disability tax credit to help alleviate the financial burden of the disease.
the future of ms in canada
both the number of people living with ms as well as the costs incurred because of the disease will continue to rise in canada in the upcoming years.
that said, ongoing research into therapies and treatments continues to create pathways to care that can potentially help slow the progression of the disease while improving rehabilitation strategies for those affected.
research on the early signs of ms is also more widespread because early intervention is one of the best ways to positively impact disease progression and improve outcomes.
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