Early warning signs of MS may appear 15 years before diagnosis

A new study suggests that signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) could start emerging more than a decade before a diagnosis is made. Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) analysed health records from over 12,000 people in Canada and found that those who went on to develop MS were engaging more with healthcare services up to 15 years before their first recognisable MS symptoms appeared.

MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, and it can look different for everyone. Common symptoms include overwhelming fatigue, changes to vision, tingling or numbness in the body, dizziness, muscle cramps, balance issues and difficulties with concentration or memory. Because these early signs can be vague and easily linked to other health conditions, it’s often difficult to recognise MS in its early stages.

The study showed that visits to GPs and other healthcare providers started to increase many years before diagnosis, as people looked for answers to a wide range of symptoms. Around 15 years before MS was officially identified, people were visiting their GP more often for issues like fatigue, pain, dizziness and mental health difficulties. Psychiatric visits became more common 12 years before diagnosis. In the three to five years leading up to diagnosis, emergency and radiology appointments increased, and in the year before diagnosis, there was a sharp rise in appointments across a range of medical specialities including neurology.

This growing pattern of healthcare use points to what researchers describe as a prodromal phase – a period where the condition is developing quietly in the background, without the more typical MS symptoms yet showing. This kind of early phase is already recognised in other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.

Although many people experience symptoms like fatigue and headaches without ever developing MS, understanding this early phase could be key to improving support and diagnosis. Being able to identify these early patterns may one day allow healthcare professionals to step in sooner, offer monitoring, and start treatment before MS progresses.

Earlier treatment with disease-modifying therapies during this phase might also help slow or stop MS in its tracks. While it may not yet be possible to fully prevent MS, this research raises hopes for better outcomes by recognising the condition earlier and taking proactive steps.

Researchers believe these findings could open the door for future studies into early warning signs, immune system changes, lifestyle factors and other possible triggers, helping to shape a clearer picture of how MS begins and what can be done earlier to support those affected.