Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It can cause a wide range of symptoms like fatigue, numbness, vision problems, and problems with walking or balance. MS is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, but it can occur at any age. Here is an overview of the average age range when someone is diagnosed with MS.
20s and 30s
Most people with MS first begin experiencing symptoms in their 20s or 30s. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the average age for an MS diagnosis is between 20 and 40 years old. One study found the average age of onset to be 29 years old.
About half of all people with MS first notice symptoms between the ages of 20 and 30. Another 20% begin having symptoms between 30 and 35. So in total, about 70% of people with MS are diagnosed before age 35.
MS Cases By Age
Here is a breakdown of the percentage of MS diagnoses at different ages, according to research estimates:
| Age Range | Percentage of MS Diagnoses |
| Younger than 18 | 3-5% |
| 18-29 | 15-24% |
| 30-39 | 34-47% |
| 40-49 | 19-26% |
| 50-59 | 7-13% |
| 60 or older | 2-7% |
As the table shows, 79-96% of people receive an MS diagnosis before age 50. Very few people (less than 10%) are diagnosed over the age of 60.
Later Diagnoses
While MS onset under age 35 is most common, about 10-20% of people with MS do not experience their first symptoms until after age 40. Some key points about later MS diagnoses:
- Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with MS later in life.
- People diagnosed after age 50 tend to progress more slowly than those diagnosed younger.
- Those diagnosed later are more likely to start with primary progressive MS rather than relapsing-remitting MS.
Pediatric MS
On the other end of the spectrum, a small percentage of children can develop MS. About 3-5% of people with MS are diagnosed before age 18. Key facts about pediatric MS include:
- Average age of onset is 14 years old.
- Girls are affected up to 3 times more often than boys.
- Initial symptoms are similar to adult-onset MS.
- May have more relapses than adult MS.
Conclusion
In summary, MS onset is most common between the ages of 20 and 40, with an average diagnosis age in the late 20s. About three-quarters of people with MS begin experiencing symptoms before age 35. However, MS can also occur later or earlier in life. While uncommon, some people develop MS after 50 or even in childhood. The takeaway is that MS can occur at any age, even if onset in early adulthood is most typical.