UCL and Imperial College Study Reports 190,000 People Living with Multiple Sclerosis in England as Diagnosis Rates Double

UCL and Imperial researchers find 190,000 people living with MS in England as improved care and earlier diagnosis double recorded prevalence since 2000.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 5:36 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from University College London

A Significant Shift in Neurological Data

The number of individuals recorded as living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in England has more than doubled over the last two decades, according to a landmark study by University College London (UCL) and Imperial College London. Published in JAMA Neurology, the research indicates that the standardized prevalence of the condition rose from 107 per 100,000 people in 2000 to 232 per 100,000 by 2020. This upward trend, growing at a steady rate of 6% per year, suggests that approximately 190,000 people are living with the autoimmune disorder today. Lead author Professor Olga Ciccarelli emphasizes that while the numbers are rising, this is largely a reflection of a more robust diagnostic infrastructure and the success of modern disease-modifying therapies.

Improved Survival and the Role of Modern Care

One of the most encouraging findings of the 30-year review is the significant improvement in survival rates for those diagnosed with the condition. Advances in specialized care and the availability of targeted treatments mean that people with MS are living longer than at any other point in history. Patients diagnosed later in the study period were found to be significantly more likely to reach the age of 80, with annual mortality rates falling consistently across the board. This longevity is credited to a combination of earlier detection—often between the ages of 20 and 50—and the proactive management of symptoms that were previously left untreated for years.

The Impact of Socioeconomic Deprivation

Despite the overall gains in life expectancy, the study identified a stark "deprivation gap" in MS outcomes. Mortality rates remain highest in England’s most deprived areas, even though recorded prevalence is higher in wealthier regions. Researchers suggest this discrepancy points to a significant number of undiagnosed cases among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Those in poorer areas often face greater barriers to accessing diagnostic tools and typically begin treatment much later in the disease course. Furthermore, these individuals are more likely to live with multiple health conditions simultaneously, which complicates the management of MS and increases the risk of avoidable death.