Women are three times more likely than men to get diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable disease that affects the central nervous system. Now, rates of MS are on the rise among Black women. “MS has historically been thought to affect white individuals, therefore there is a lack of awareness about the disease in other patient populations,” said Tirisham Gyang, MD, a neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine.
Neurologist Tirisham Gyang, MD, examines a multiple sclerosis patient at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Rates of MS are on the rise among Black women. Gyang says recognizing symptoms in this population and ensuring they are adequately represented in clinical research is critical to finding a cure for all.
Tirisham Gyang, MD, clinical assistant professor of Neurology and director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Division at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Paula Cole thought her days of playing soccer were over when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while in college. But now, 20 years later she’s working with her neurologist to implement lifestyle changes, including taking medications that help her to once again enjoy the sport she loves.
Regular exercise helps Paula Cole manage her multiple sclerosis symptoms. For years she felt helpless to fight her disease, but after connecting with a neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, she is empowered to live well with the disease, and advocate for the increasing number of Black women with an MS diagnosis.
Newswise — COLUMBUS, Ohio – Women are three times more likely than men to get diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable disease that affects the central nervous system. Now, rates of MS are on the rise among Black women.
Research suggests that Black individuals may also be prone to more aggressive disease progression and greater disability, although the reasons are unknown.
“MS has historically been thought to affect white individuals, therefore there is a lack of awareness about the disease in other patient populations,” said Tirisham Gyang, MD, a neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine.
As a result, there has been a lack of recognition of MS in non-white populations leading to an under-diagnosis of MS in Black individuals. There is also an under-representation of Black people in clinical trials. Gyang said.
MS is a condition where the body's immune system attacks the optic nerves, brain and spinal cord, leading to inflammation. At first, it may present as episodes of neurological symptoms that drugs can often control, known as relapsing MS.
However, as time goes on, MS become more debilitating and less responsive to available treatments. This is known as progressive MS.
The first step to finding a cure for MS is ensuring all patients are adequately represented in clinical research, said Gyang, who is also director of the Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology in the Department of Neurology at Ohio State.
“We want, specifically, populations that have been underrepresented to come out and to be in clinical trials so that we understand better how MS affects them,” Gyang said.
Even before Black women can consider joining clinical trials, they must first recognize their symptoms and seek treatment.
During college at The Ohio State University, club soccer kept Paula Cole busy. Then her first symptoms of MS appeared: vision problems, tripping and the sensation of pins and needles in her legs. One morning when she woke up, she couldn’t move her legs. An ambulance took her to the hospital where she soon learned she had MS.
“It felt like a death sentence,” said Cole, who was only 21 at the time. She eventually regained the ability to walk, and now more than 20 years later, she still plays soccer, along with running, biking and swimming.
Cole started seeing Gyang in 2021 and now takes medication to slow the progression of her disease. She has a new outlook on the future.
“I know, at times, my daughters must think ‘Mom has this incurable disease.’ In the past I’d get so down about that,” she said. “Now it’s almost celebratory. We can think about a future where mom is there, and mom is walking, and mom is participating.”
Cole also advocates for people with MS. She uses her platform as a business leader and a member of the National MS Society, where she serves as an Ohio Board of Trustee, District Activist Leader, Strategic Planning & Metric Committee Member.
Her goal is to shed light on the growing prevalence of the disease in Black people. Cole relishes the opportunity to stand with all affected by MS as they support research to find a cure.
“I continue to hope and pray that, as I can, I will be able to help others,” Cole said. “And as long as I'm helping others, I am doing what I was put on this earth to do.”
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Credit: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Caption: Neurologist Tirisham Gyang, MD, examines a multiple sclerosis patient at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Rates of MS are on the rise among Black women. Gyang says recognizing symptoms in this population and ensuring they are adequately represented in clinical research is critical to finding a cure for all.
Credit: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Caption: Tirisham Gyang, MD, clinical assistant professor of Neurology and director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Division at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Credit: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Caption: Paula Cole thought her days of playing soccer were over when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while in college. But now, 20 years later she’s working with her neurologist to implement lifestyle changes, including taking medications that help her to once again enjoy the sport she loves.
Credit: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Caption: Regular exercise helps Paula Cole manage her multiple sclerosis symptoms. For years she felt helpless to fight her disease, but after connecting with a neurologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, she is empowered to live well with the disease, and advocate for the increasing number of Black women with an MS diagnosis.
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