Multiple sclerosis (MS) can have a significant impact on many aspects of life beyond physical health, with 51% of people reporting that the disease affects their social life and 48% affecting their work, according to new research presented at the 2026 European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress.
While the physical effects of MS are well known, less is known about how the disease affects broader social determinants of health. Previous research has often focused on individual areas, such as employment or economic well-being, in isolation. However, few studies have investigated how multiple social determinants are influenced simultaneously and how they interact.
To explore these widespread effects, Italian researchers conducted the SocialMS study, a nationwide survey-based study of 1,039 adults with MS receiving care at 68 MS centers across the country. Participants were asked about the impact of MS on four major social determinants of health: education, work, financial resources, and social life.
The most commonly affected area was social life, with 51% of participants reporting an impact, followed by work (48%), financial resources (34%), and education (19%).
This study also found that the four domains are closely interrelated (Figure 1). Additional analyzes conducted by the researchers found that the strongest associations were between work and social life, and between work and economic resources.
People experiencing financial hardship, unemployment or early retirement, additional health conditions, or greater levels of disability were more likely to report impacts across multiple domains. Economic strain and disability were associated with all secondary outcomes examined in the study.
Our data show that beyond physical health, multiple areas of life are significantly affected by MS, especially social life and work. Importantly, the greatest burden falls on socio-economically and medically more vulnerable individuals, with disability emerging as a factor of disadvantage. ”
Dr. Marta Ponzano, Lead Author, Link Campus University, Rome, Italy
“Taken together, these findings highlight the need for a more comprehensive, person-centered approach to MS care. We don’t just treat MS, we treat the person living with MS. That means recognizing and addressing not just physical symptoms, but the impact of the disease on daily life, employment, social participation, and overall well-being,” she explained.
Almost 90% of participants reported receiving some form of social support. Family is the main source of both practical and emotional support, with 61% receiving practical support and 76% receiving emotional support from their family. 43% of participants said friends were also an important source of emotional support.
Support also came from less traditional sources. More than 16% of participants reported receiving emotional support and companionship from their pets, and approximately 12% reported receiving emotional support from co-workers.
Despite the importance of support networks, the study also found that MS can cause strain on relationships. Among participants whose social lives were affected by the disease, 54% reported that it affected their relationship with a partner and 46% reported that it affected their friendships.
Dr. Ponzano explained, “These two findings, which may seem contradictory, actually highlight the dual nature of this area. Family and friends are often important supports for people living with MS, but the disease can also put strains on those same relationships.”
Participants who reported greater MS-related burden, or greater need, were also more likely to receive support.
“While this may be an encouraging finding, future research should investigate whether support is activated or provided proactively in response to higher levels of need,” Ponzano said. “A preventative rather than a reactive model may be more beneficial for people with MS.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Ponzano emphasized the need for widespread support for people living with MS. “Our findings highlight that the impact of MS extends beyond physical health, impacting social life, employment, financial resources and education. For health systems and policy makers, these results highlight the value of multidisciplinary support services and policies aimed at reducing the broader social and economic burden of this disease.”
“Regular assessment of these wider impacts, together with closer collaboration between health care and social support services, could help identify unmet needs early and reduce inequalities among people living with MS,” she concluded.
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2026 European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress
