What is the Atlas of MS?
The Atlas of MS is the most extensive worldwide study of the epidemiology of MS and the global availability and accessibility of resources for people with MS.
A unique, worldwide tool
The Atlas of MS is unique in that it is not a standard review of the published literature, but instead seeks to reach out to every country in the world asking them to provide the most up-to-date information on MS.
The Atlas of MS aims to bring together…
The Atlas of MS aims to bring together all available information on MS epidemiology and healthcare accessibility in an open-source data set. This gives us a more complete understanding of the burden of the disease and provides useful insights on how it varies across the world.
The first Atlas of MS – published in 2008 as a joint project by MSIF and the World Health Organization – was one of the most cited resources on MS.
The second edition, published in 2013, updated global evidence on MS. Since then, the Atlas has continued to evolve providing increasingly comprehensive insights into the burden of MS and access to care worldwide:
Third edition launched in 2020
The third edition combined updated data on MS epidemiology and clinical management, providing a comprehensive picture of the global burden of MS, access to diagnosis and treatments and variations in care between countries.
Third edition updates (since 2022)
Following the 2020 launch, the third edition moved to a more frequent update model. Core epidemiology and DMT data continued to be refreshed, alongside topical surveys on emerging issues, ensuring the Atlas of MS remains relevant and up to date.
Methodology
The Atlas of MS is based on a large international study that brings together data and expert insights from countries around the world. Information is collected through surveys completed by expert country coordinators and contributors, drawing on published evidence, registry data, administrative data and clinical expertise where available.
What information is collected
- 2020 Epidemiology survey: Collected data on MS prevalence, incidence, age at diagnosis, MS type at diagnosis, and national registries. The 2022 update focused on prevalence and incidence.
- Clinical management survey: Covered diagnostic criteria, barriers to diagnosis, disease modifying therapies (DMTs), access to treatment, symptomatic therapies, rehabilitation, healthcare professionals, and national guidelines.
- 2022 Topical survey: Examined DMT use, treatment uptake, affordability, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) distribution.
- 2024 Topical survey: Assessed the availability and routine use of diagnostic tests for MS.
Identifying expert country coordinators and contributors
Atlas country coordinators and contributors are selected based on their expertise and knowledge of MS within their country. Typically, they comprise, neurologists, epidemiologists or researchers and representatives from patient organisations and registries. They are asked to be the focal point for gathering the relevant information in each country, making use of all possible sources of information and collaborating with other experts where possible/necessary.
Countries that didn’t take part
The remaining nations of the world (80) did not have an identified coordinator or did not agree to participate – these tended to be countries without patient organisations or where neurologists could not be identified or those with small populations.
The third edition of the Atlas of MS is built on the contributions of experts and organisations worldwide. Through ongoing data collection and topical surveys, participating countries continue to strengthen our understanding of MS around the globe.
Countries that have participated in one or more third edition activities are highlighted in the map below
Limitations
The Atlas of MS is one of the most comprehensive global data sources on the epidemiology and clinical management of MS, but some limitations remain.
- National and global estimates should be interpreted with caution when making comparisons over time. Methods, data sources and country participation have evolved across Atlas editions as data availability and quality have improved. These changes can influence both epidemiological estimates and measures of clinical management and healthcare access.
- Evidence availability varies across countries and topics. The quantity and quality of available evidence differ considerably between countries and across areas of MS research and healthcare. To help address these gaps, the Atlas combines available data with input from expert contributors familiar with the national MS landscape.
- Important data gaps remain. Although the availability of MS data has improved over time, significant gaps persist, particularly in some low-income countries and regions where surveillance systems are less developed. These gaps highlight the need for continued investment in MS research, registries and disease surveillance worldwide.
- Availability does not always mean access. While the Atlas captures whether healthcare professionals, diagnostic services and treatments are available within a country, this does not necessarily mean they are accessible to everyone living with MS. Access can vary substantially within countries and may be influenced by factors such as geography, affordability, reimbursement policies, supply issues and other barriers within healthcare systems.
For more information
Please explore the Atlas of MS publications, datasets or other tools The Atlas of MS Toolkit | Atlas of MS or review our Atlas question and answer pages.