MyMSTeam

Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) and Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) differ mainly in how they develop:

PPMS
• Occurs in 10-15% of MS cases
• Shows steady progression from onset
• No early relapses or remissions
• Tends to cause more spinal cord lesions than brain lesions
• Typically causes more motor symptoms like Show Full Answer

Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) and Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) differ mainly in how they develop:

PPMS:
• Occurs in 10-15% of MS cases
• Shows steady progression from onset
• No early relapses or remissions
• Tends to cause more spinal cord lesions than brain lesions
• Typically causes more motor symptoms like difficulty walking SPMS:
• Evolves from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) over time
• May still have some flares but fewer than in RRMS
• Typically develops about 10 years after initial RRMS diagnosis
• Symptoms continue to worsen even between flares
• Often occurs because nerves are damaged beyond repair at this stage
• Average age of transition to SPMS is around 40 years old

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