Introduction

摘要

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is thought to be autoimmune in nature. In addition to demyelination, axonal and neuronal damage occur in this disease. In recent years, MS has received significant focus from health plans and those who manage drug benefits. MS affects nearly 400,000 individuals in the United States, and the majority of those affected by the disease have relapsing-remit-ting MS (RRMS). RRMS is characterized by clearly defined attacks, or relapses, of worsening neurological function with periods of partial to complete recovery between each attack. This form of MS occurs more often in women than men, with disease onset typically occurring between the ages of 20 and 50 years.