Multiple sclerosis diagnosis in south Asia: fundamentals first

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic auto-immune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, is an important cause of young-onset neurological disability, with the average age at diagnosis being 30–33 years across all six WHO regions. An estimated 2.9 million people are living with MS worldwide, with prevalence shown to be increasing. In south Asia, demographic patterns are similar to global trends, including a predominance among women. A primary clinical challenge in south Asia can be in establishing a timely and certain diagnosis of MS across its diverse healthcare contexts.