Retrospective analysis from a sample of MS patients collected from a reference MS-specialized clinic, assessed between 2007 and 2018. Comparison with mortality and causes of death from the latest nation-wide population census (2010) was made.

Of a total sample of 931, 28 patients died with MS diagnosis. Fourteen (50%) deaths were non-MS related causes. Among them, clinical type of MS was relapsing-remitting in 9 (32.1%), primary progressive in 5 (17.9%) and secondary progressive in 14 (50%). Female gender 11 (39,3%), main age of death 49.3 years. Mean disease duration was 15 years. A lower life expectancy was seen in MS patients compared with the GP (49.32 vs 75.35), age at which a person from the GP would have a 5-years-survival of 96%. Non-MS related causes of death were: cardiovascular (31,4% vs 43,7), infection 35,7%. Suicide was not reported, a very frequently cause in similarly aged cohorts.

Life expectancy in MS is significantly reduced. Patients with secondary progressive-MS were the most affected. To the general neurologist, a deeper knowledge of the causes-of-death in MS patients would permit an earlier prevention and screening for non-MS related pathologies, as well as the MS-specialist will benefit from this population-based approach to MS-related deaths.