Benefits of medications for MS outweigh risks, says UCI Health neurologist
Disease-modifying therapies can make it possible for patients to move more, improving health
IN THE NEWS: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition that affects the spine and brain. The way it impacts the brain can raise the risk of stroke.
Recent research analysis has found one potential contributor: medications used to treat MS, known as disease-modifying therapies (DMT).
Dr. Michael Sy, a neurologist with UCI Health who specializes in MS, spoke with HealthCentral about the use of DMTs to manage the symptoms and progression of MS. He was not involved in the analysis.
“Medications that could be used for clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, or secondary progressive MS, along with any type of MS that involves relapses, might not reduce the risk of stroke.”
The benefits of DMTs often outweigh the risk of stroke, according to Sy.
“Reducing stroke risk is not something we’re thinking about when we’re prescribing a drug for MS. But with treatment, patients will be able to exercise and move around more over time. This can help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.”
Sy is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at UC Irvine School of Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. He is a board-certified neurologist whose focus is on multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system.
Sy is also involved in translational research and clinical trials studying demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system.
Make an appointment at the UCI Health Multiple Sclerosis Program by calling 714-456-7720.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,317-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, its flagship hospital in Orange, Calif., the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).