Incidence, and Survival Medical Expenditure of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of autoimmune system which attacks the central nervous system and that is one of the most common inflammatory diseases and has caused a heavy disease burden on patients. In the world, the prevalence of MS is on the rise, and the annual growth rate of MS patients in Taiwan is much higher than the whole world (3.78 times). However, it has no discussion or study in references at present, and it is worthwhile to research. MS is not a fatal disease, but its complications make the mortality of its patients three times higher than that of general population. This study will explore the survival and the causes of death for MS patients in Taiwan by cohort study of fourteen years. In addition, in the recent years, the MS patients in Taiwan and the medical resource consumption has increased largely, and it is necessary to conduct the research.