From the Research
There is no established direct link between multiple sclerosis (MS) and brain hemorrhage, but certain risk factors and treatments may increase the risk of hemorrhage in MS patients. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath covering nerve fibers, causing communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Brain hemorrhage, on the other hand, involves bleeding within the brain tissue or surrounding spaces, typically caused by trauma, high blood pressure, aneurysms, or blood vessel abnormalities. While both conditions affect the brain, they have different underlying mechanisms and pathologies.
- MS patients are not generally considered at higher risk for brain hemorrhages compared to the general population, as shown in a study published in 2019 1.
- However, some MS treatments, particularly anticoagulants or medications affecting the immune system, might theoretically increase bleeding risk in rare cases, as suggested by a study published in 2019 1.
- A study published in 2020 found that cerebral small vessel disease is higher in MS cases that die at younger ages compared with control subjects, which may contribute to the risk of brain hemorrhage 2.
- Another study published in 2012 found that MS is associated with an increased risk of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases compared with the general population, particularly within the first years after MS diagnosis and in young and middle-aged MS patients 3.
- If an MS patient experiences sudden severe headache, confusion, difficulty speaking, or other neurological symptoms different from their usual MS symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention as these could indicate a hemorrhage requiring urgent treatment.
- Regular follow-up with neurologists specializing in MS remains the cornerstone of managing the disease and monitoring for any complications. Some key points to consider include:
- The use of anticoagulants and disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) may have a protective effect against intracerebral hemorrhage in MS patients, as suggested by a study published in 2019 1.
- Tobacco exposure and anticoagulant use were strongly associated with increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with MS, as shown in a study published in 2019 1.
- The risk of venous thromboembolism is increased in MS patients, particularly those with recent records indicating immobility, spasticity, glucocorticoid use, or disability, as found in a study published in 2014 4.