Real-World Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis in Korea: Insights from a 2025 Nationwide Hospital-Based Multicenter Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: A hospital-based survey conducted in 2023 provided initial insight into the realworld landscape of multiple sclerosis (MS) care. Based on 2023 survey, the present study aims to offer an updated nationwide assessment of MS in Korea.Methods: In January 2025, we collected data on the number of patients with MS, MS subtypes, newly diagnosed cases in the past year, onset age, sex ratio, current disease modifying therapies (DMTs), and disability status (expanded disability status scale, EDSS) from 47 major MS centers in Korea.Results: A total of 1,799 patients had clinically confirmed MS and 365 patients were under follow-up for suspected MS. 193 patients were newly diagnosed in 2024. MS onset occurred most frequently at 20-29 years, whereas very early or late onset was uncommon. DMTs were administered to 95% of patients, with 62% receiving moderate-efficacy agents and 28% receiving high-efficacy agents. A majority of patients (78.1%) were followed at centers in the Seoul Capital Area, which also accounted for 79.9% of those receiving high-efficacy therapies. Regarding neurological disability, 307 patients (17%) had an EDSS score greater than 3.0, and 115 patients (6%) had a score above 5.5, indicating moderate to severe disability.Conclusion: This updated nationwide hospital-based survey reveals a gradual increase in the number of patients with MS under clinical follow-up compared to a 2023 survey conducted in April 2022. The vast majority of patients are receiving DMTs, and while the proportion receiving high-efficacy agents remains modest, it demonstrates a clear upward trend.
Authors: Sooyoung Kim, Ho Jin Kim, Jae-Won Hyun, Eun-Jae Lee, Young-Min Lim, Hyunjin Kim, Ju-Hong Min, Byung Joon Kim, Seung Ho Choo, Sung-Min Kim, Dong Seok Ohn, Ha Young Shin, Young Nam Kwon, Seung Woo Kim, Ki Hoon Kim, Jun Soon Kim, Woojun Kim, Tai-Seung Nam, You-Ri Kang, Min Su Park, Eunhee Sohn, Kyong Jin Shin, Byung-Jo Kim, Seol-Hee Baek, Jin-Woo Park, Sun-Young Oh, Young Eun Park, Yoon-Ho Hong, Suk-Won Ahn, Woohee Ju, Jeeyoung Oh, Hye Lim Lee, Tae-Kyeong Lee, Byeong-Jun Jeon, Nam-Hee Kim, Sunyoung Kim, Soonwook Kwon, Byeol-A Yoon, Jong Kuk Kim, Jinseok Park, Jin Myoung Seok, Jeong Bin Bong, Eun Bin Cho, Yoo Hwan Kim, Jong Seok Bae, Seong-il Oh, Sung Sang Yoon, Jiwon Yang, Do-Hyung Kim, Jee Eun Kim, Juhyeon Kim, Hyun-June Shin, Ohyun Kwon, Ahwon Kim, Sa-Yoon Kang, Jung Im Seok, Minsung Kang, Joo Hye Sung, Hung Youl Seok, Jinhong Shin, Jae-Hwan Choi, Dae-Seong Kim, Je Hong Min, In Soo Joo, Jung Min So, Su-Hyun Kim
Institutions: Inha University, Yonsei University, Severance Hospital, National Cancer Center, Inha University Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, National Cancer Center Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Seoul National University, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Hanyang University Seoul Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Hanyang University, Catholic University of Korea, Chonnam National University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Cheonan, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University, SNUH SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University Healthcare System, Chung-Ang University, Konkuk University Medical Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, University of Ulsan, Ulsan University Hospital, Chosun University Hospital, Hallym University, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Kyung Hee University, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7117769088