Challenges in Diagnosis and Therapeutic Strategies in Late-Onset Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and degenerative demyelinating disease of the central nervous system of unknown etiology, which affects individuals in their early adulthood. However, nearly 5–10% of people with MS can be diagnosed at ages above 50 years old, referred to as late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS). Some studies have reported a distinctive presentation, clinical course, and prognosis for LOMS, implicating a different diagnostic and therapeutic approach for this population. Furthermore, similar manifestations between LOMS and other age-related conditions may lead to potential misdiagnosis and diagnostic delays, and a higher burden of multimorbidity associated with aging can further complicate the clinical picture. This review aims to explore the clinical characteristics, the disease course, and the differential diagnosis of LOMS and addresses therapeutic considerations for this population.