about

The Atlas of MS database provides, for the first time, information and data on the epidemiology of MS and the availability and accessibility of resources for people with MS at country, regional, and global levels.

The contents of the database can be searched and illustrated through maps, charts or spreadsheets in the query data section.

The database will be updated every year. New data will be gathered on an ongoing basis both from contacts in countries that have already provided data and from contacts in countries that have yet to submit. Data will also be gathered for new categories and sub categories as and when necessary, for example when a new treatment becomes available.

Data is grouped under the following six categories and variables:

Epidemiology of MS	Total number of people with MS
	Prevalence of MS
	Incidence of MS
	Mean age of onset
	Male/female ratio
Services & Support	Telephone Helpline
	Printed information material
	Audio-visual material
	Newsletter
	Website
	Advice & Advocacy
	Education & Training
	Personal Support for people with MS
	Support for family & carers
Diagnosis of MS	Presenting symptoms
	Diagnostic procedures available
	Number of MRI machines (per 100,000)
	Percentage of the cost of an MRI test covered by the Government
	Cost of an MRI Test
	Time from initial presentation to get an MRI test
	Diagnostic criteria used
	Commonest diagnostic criteria used
	Diagnosis without MRI
	Information at diagnosis
Management of MS	Number of neurologists (per 100,000)
	Number of MS neurologists (per 100,000)
	Number of MS nurses (per 100,000)
	MS nurses education/training
	Hospital based MS interdisciplinary teams
	Community based MS interdisciplinary teams
	Time to wait to be seen by an MS interdisciplinary team
Treatment of MS	Availability of disease modifying treatments
	Cost of disease modifying treatments
	Eligibility of people with MS to receive disease modifying drugs
	Source of financing of disease modifying drugs
	Availability of drugs to treat exacerbations/relapses
	Availability of drugs to treat symptoms
	Complementary/alternative therapies
Quality of life of people with MS	Availability of private health insurance
	Availability of travel insurance
	Driving legislation
	Employment legislation
	Can a person with MS lose their job because he/she has MS?
	Education legislation
	Disability entitlements

Further explanation and definition of words and phrases can be found in the glossary.

copyright

MSIF encourages the reproduction of all or any item (reports, charts, maps, data and text) on or resulting from the Atlas of MS web site for personal, non-commercial use on the condition that you acquire MSIF's prior written authorization to do so.

This will include agreeing to the following.

that prior to publication the work is submitted to MSIF for its approval in the form in which it is intended to be published
in the case of a translation, it will be verified and approved by MS professionals appointed by MSIF. However, you acknowledge and agree that neither MSIF nor any individual member of MSIF assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of any translated content. As regards the original content, you should read our general disclaimer
that you agree to be responsible for all costs involved in reproducing the work including the cost of any translation
that the copyright in any translation shall belong to MSIF and that in consideration of MSIF allowing you to publish a translation of its work you hereby assign all copyright and all other intellectual property rights wherever arising in the world in such translation to MSIF for the full period of copyright and any extensions and renewals
any reproduction or translation will carry a copyright notice in the following form: '© MSIF 2006. All rights reserved. www.atlasofms.org'. Further, any reproduction or translation will carry an accreditation to MSIF.

The European Multiple Sclerosis Platform name, domain name and logo are trademarks of MSIF. The names, images and logos identifying MSIF or third parties and their products and services are the proprietary marks of MSIF and/or third parties as appropriate. Nothing contained within the Atlas of MS Website may be construed as conferring any licence or right under any trademark or patent of MSIF or any third party.

disclaimer

MSIF has provided the Atlas of MS website and information and data on it for educational purposes only. Nothing contained in this service is intended to be instructional for medical diagnosis or treatment. Although a conscientious effort to provide high quality information has been made, MSIF disclaims any implied guarantee about the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or relevance of any information. The information should not be relied on to suggest a course of treatment for a particular individual, and it should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice or a physician or other qualified healthcare provider. You should contact or see your physician or other qualified healthcare provider promptly if you have any questions or before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program etc.

You should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read, heard or seen on this service. The information contained in the World of MS website is compiled from a variety of sources and is distributed by a variety of partner websites; the World of MS and these information sources and distribution partners do not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical advice or medical services as part of the service.

MSIF takes no responsibility for the content of external Internet sites. The existence of links to or from any organization's website to MSIF does not imply that MSIF endorses the activities or views of that organization.

MSIF does not warrant that the functions contained in the material in this website will be uninterrupted or error free, that defects will be corrected, or that this website or the server that makes it available are free of viruses or bugs or represents the full functionality, accuracy and reliability of the materials.