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 data query section.
The whole database will be updated every four years. Data will also be gathered on an ongoing basis from countries that had not yet submitted data and new data will 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 sub categories:
| 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 | |
| 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.
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.
