Real-World Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis in Korea: Insights from a 2025 Nationwide Hospital-Based Multicenter Study
Background: A hospital-based survey conducted in 2023 provided initial insight into the realworld landscape of multiple sclerosis (MS) care. Based on 2023 survey, the present study aims to offer an updated nationwide assessment of MS in Korea.Methods: In January 2025, we collected data on the number of patients with MS, MS subtypes, newly diagnosed cases in the past year, onset age, sex ratio, current disease modifying therapies (DMTs), and disability status (expanded disability status scale, EDSS) from 47 major MS centers in Korea.Results: A total of 1,799 patients had clinically confirmed MS and 365 patients were under follow-up for suspected MS. 193 patients were newly diagnosed in 2024. MS onset occurred most frequently at 20-29 years, whereas very early or late onset was uncommon. DMTs were administered to 95% of patients, with 62% receiving moderate-efficacy agents and 28% receiving high-efficacy agents. A majority of patients (78.1%) were followed at centers in the Seoul Capital Area, which also accounted for 79.9% of those receiving high-efficacy therapies. Regarding neurological disability, 307 patients (17%) had an EDSS score greater than 3.0, and 115 patients (6%) had a score above 5.5, indicating moderate to severe disability.Conclusion: This updated nationwide hospital-based survey reveals a gradual increase in the number of patients with MS under clinical follow-up compared to a 2023 survey conducted in April 2022. The vast majority of patients are receiving DMTs, and while the proportion receiving high-efficacy agents remains modest, it demonstrates a clear upward trend.
Authors
- Jinseok Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6581-5831)
- Eun Bin Cho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2021-8587)
- Kyong Jin Shin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1349-1913)
- Seung Ho Choo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6956-6350)
- Jeong Bin Bong
- Shin Ha-young
- Jin Myoung Seok (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1484-2968)
- Jong Seok Bae
- Sung Sang Yoon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1959-2400)
- Tae-Kyeong Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6913-4689)
- In Soo Joo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8686-5229)
- Hyun-June Shin
- Jung Im Seok (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9219-9093)
- Je Hong Min (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8716-7329)
- Jung Min So
- Jinhong Shin
- Jee Eun Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0795-5742)
- Jin‐Woo Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4989-2575)
- Jiwon Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1875-0905)
- Young Eun Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5655-6370)
- Seung Woo Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7931-6977)
- Min Su Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3356-203X)
- Ki Hoon Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6428-061X)
- Seol-Hee Baek
- Hye Lim Lee
- Soonwook Kwon
- Sa-Yoon Kang
- Jae-Won Hyun
- Eun-Jae Lee
- Do-Hyung Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9426-3308)
- Jun Soon Kim
- Byeong-Jun Jeon
- Yoo Hwan Kim
- Woohee Ju
- You-Ri Kang
- Joo Hye Sung
- Sun-Young Oh
- Young Nam Kwon
- Byung Joon Kim
- Sunyoung Kim
- Jong Hoon Kim
- Suk-Won Ahn
- Juhyeon Kim
- Jeeyoung Oh
- Dong Seok Ohn
- Ahwon Kim
- Ho Jin Kim
- Dae-Seong Kim
- Hyunjin Kim
- Tai-Seung Nam
- Eunhee Sohn
- Su-Hyun Kim
- Hung Youl Seok
- Seong-il Oh
- Young-Min Lim
- Nam-Hee Kim
- Minsung Kang
- Sung-Min Kim
- Ohyun Kwon
- Byeol-A Yoon
- Jae-Hwan Choi
- Byung-Jo Kim
- Woojun Kim
- Yoon-Ho Hong
- Ju-Hong Min
- Sooyoung Kim
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology
- Published
- 2025-12-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.59578/jmsni.2025.16.2.53-59
- Primary Topic
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00