Large Multiple Sclerosis Patient Study Shows High Impact on Work & Relationships

PHILADELPHIA, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Union, LLC announced today that it has published the results from the "MS in America 2013" survey on its newly launched website http://MultipleSclerosis.Net. The survey covered a broad array of topics impacting people with Multiple Sclerosis, and was taken by 3,437 respondents making it one of the largest of its kind conducted with MS patients in the United States.

"We were very pleased at the level of participation we received with this survey," said Tim Armand, President of Health Union, LLC. "We wanted to publish the results this month in recognition of National MS Awareness and Education Month. For the general public, the results shed light on what it is like to live with MS, and the results will help MS patients see how others live with and manage the disease."

Respondents reported numbness, tingling or other altered sensations, problems with walking, vision problems and fatigue among the most common initial symptoms. Although these symptoms first occurred most frequently between the ages of 25-35, MS was not typically diagnosed until a decade later. Use of a wide range of pharmacologic and complementary and alternative therapies were also reported, with a majority (61.3%) of patients spending over $1,000 a year out of pocket despite having health insurance. Nearly half (45.7%) of respondents reported being on disability and one in four reported MS having an impact on their personal relationships.

The top line report from the MS in America survey can be found on Health Union's new website which was launched in February of this year. On MultipleSclerosis.Net, readers will find hundreds of pages of MS-specific content covering MS basics, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, overviews of the latest research along with regular contributions from patient advocates and other experts. MutipleSclerosis.Net also welcomes comments and discussion of MS-related topics on its moderated forums.

The MS in America study was solely funded by Health Union LLC and the primary goal of the study was to establish an understanding of the current state and trends of patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Health Union does not manufacture, sell nor market any product to diagnose, prevent, or treat MS or any other disease, but is the creator and publisher of in-depth, condition-specific online communities. Health Union's communities are always free to users and are supported by transparent advertising and sponsorships. Health Union also owns http://Migraine.com, the largest and fastest growing online community dedicated to migraine.

Health Union will continue to analyze the MS in America data and will publish new findings, including in-depth analysis of specific patient segments on MultipleSclerosis.Net in the coming months.

SOURCE Health Union, LLC