Medical experts are forced to thwart disabilities of patients in the 20 to 40 years age-group diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as treatment costs are exorbitant.
 
Youngsters, especially women are affected by the chronic central nervous system disease, which affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Even in the absence of new symptoms, the disease is a continuously active. Despite injectables and oral drugs which are expensive, the silver lining is that the several medicines undergoing clinical trial should be available in the near future, they noted.
 
The condition is at least two to three times more common in women than men probably due to hormonal influences. Although MS was initially considered to be a disease affecting individuals in colder climates of Europe and North America, it is now being increasingly diagnosed in India. If diagnosed and treated early, disability can be prevented, said Dr. Rajesh B Iyer, neurologist, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru.
 
Echoing Dr Iyer's view was Dr Jayachandran R, neurologist also from Vikram Hospital who said that the treatment depends on the severity of the condition and is categorised as 1st line, 2nd line and 3rd line therapies. Studies are on for a possible bone marrow transplant.
 
The newer drugs are teriflunomide and cladirabine. Other recent drugs include dimethyl fumarate, daclizumab and fingolimod. Older drugs like rituximab have also been reintroduced to treat MS.
 
 Among the effective existing medications to control the condition for an acute attack are steroids and plasma exchange. For long-term treatment, interferons, glatiramer, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, natalizumab are prescribed. The older medicines like azathioprine ,methotrexate are also prescribed. While majority of the drugs are imported, some like interferons and rituximab are made in India, said Dr. Iyer.
 
However, it is the cost which is beyond affordability. Current treatment costs is anywhere from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 38,000 a month. The imported versions are at Rs. 25 lakh to Rs. 40 lakh for the entire course of treatment.
 
Women are affected more often because of their susceptibility to immune mediated disorder. Since MS affects the productive age group and leads to disabilities, the burden for a patient is quite severe. Often patients get disabled enough to require wheel chair assistance. There are many instances where patients lose their jobs or marriages are impacted, Dr Iyer said.
 
While there is no data on India incidence, we see an increased incidence in the last few years in Bengaluru. The concern for the medical fraternity., noted Dr. Iyer, is the inadequate treatment response in some patients. Unfortunately with no curative therapies, doctors are forced to battle with expensive drugs and young patients.