Statistically it is recorded that approx. 780 people died in the UK as a direct result of MS during 2009 to 2010. It is very difficult to obtain exact figures but currently this is as close as we can get.
Please give considered thought to this.
Approx. 20% of people with MS “have a considerably shortened life"
The reason for the general misconception about the terminal nature of MS may be found in that:- "Routine mortality statistics are usually based on identifying a single cause for each death.
This is the 'underlying cause of death', defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as: A) the disease or injury which initiated the train of events directly leading to death or B) the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury Therefore the disease/condition which initiated the train which directly leads to death is recorded as a respiratory problem (usually aspiration pneumonia) or a urinary tract infection.
Because both of these events are actually secondary to MS it makes more sense for cause of death to be recorded as an event secondary to multiple sclerosis which should be recorded as the primary cause.
This would make life a lot easier for MS patients trying desperately to meet continuing healthcare criteria for the purpose of receiving funded care.
This is considered to be an important point, an unconsidered point, which may require greater clarification.
Proventus is asking our members, followers to give considered thought to this statement and expand the material.
Multiple Sclerosis
ReplyDeleteAs many of you will be aware, particularly those who knew Hilary, she died as the result of a massive stroke. This was caused by a blood clot which formed as a result of living in a wheelchair which in turn was occasioned by her rapidly progressing MS. Officially she did not die from MS but from the stroke. Hence we get the oft quoted wisdom that very few people die from MS.
Statistics
From any group of 100,000 people who live to an average age of 70 one would expect some 2000 a year to die. If we choose the subset of 100,000 all of whom has MS then it is reasonable to assume that some would die from completely unrelated causes, in a vehicle accident for instance. A few would die from old age (don’t remind me as I have just passed my 70th birthday).
Is then the figure of 780 unrealistic? I can only answer that with a quotation “Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.” ~Aaron Levenstein
DR David Price