MS affects social life and work for many people, while finances and education are also affected, a nationwide study has found.
More than half of participants said the condition affected their social lives, while almost half reported an impact on their work.
The findings suggest the effects of the neurological condition extend beyond physical symptoms and reach several connected areas of daily life.
Marta Ponzano, lead author from Link Campus University in Rome, said: “Our data show that multiple domains of life are substantially affected by MS beyond physical health, particularly social life and work.
“Importantly, the greatest burden falls on individuals who are socioeconomically and medically more vulnerable, with disability emerging as a key driver of disadvantage.”
Researchers in Italy surveyed 1,039 adults with MS who were receiving care at 68 MS centres across the country as part of the SocialMS study.
The results were presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Participants were asked how the condition affected four social determinants of health: education, work, financial resources and social life. Social determinants are the circumstances in which people live and work that can influence their health and wellbeing.
Social life was the most commonly affected area, reported by 51 per cent of participants. Work was affected for 48 per cent, financial resources for 34 per cent and education for 19 per cent.
The four areas were closely linked. The strongest connections were between work and social life, and between work and financial resources.
People experiencing financial difficulties, unemployment or early retirement were more likely to report effects across several areas.
Those with additional health conditions or greater levels of disability were also more likely to experience effects across multiple areas.
Economic strain and disability were associated with all the secondary outcomes examined in the study.
Ponzano said: “Taken together, these findings highlight the need for a more comprehensive, person-centred approach to MS care.
“We do not treat only MS, but the person living with MS. That means recognising and addressing the impact of the disease on daily functioning, employment, social participation and overall wellbeing, not just its physical symptoms.”
Almost 90 per cent of participants reported receiving some form of social support.
Family members were the main source of practical and emotional support. Some 61 per cent received practical support from family, while 76 per cent received emotional support.
Friends provided emotional support to 43 per cent of participants.
More than 16 per cent reported receiving emotional support and companionship from pets, while almost 12 per cent received emotional support from colleagues.
Despite the importance of these support networks, the condition could also place pressure on personal relationships.
Among participants whose social lives were affected, 54 per cent reported an impact on relationships with partners and 46 per cent reported an impact on friendships.
Ponzano said: “These two findings, which may appear contradictory, actually highlight the dual nature of this domain. Family and friends are often an important source of support for people living with MS, yet the disease can also place strain on those same relationships.”
People reporting a greater MS-related burden, and therefore greater need, were also more likely to receive support.
Ponzano said: “While this could represent an encouraging finding, future studies should investigate whether support is activated in response to higher levels of need or provided proactively.
“A preventive model rather than a reactive one may be more beneficial for individuals with MS.”
She added: “Our findings highlight that the impact of MS extends beyond physical health, affecting social life, employment, financial resources and education. For healthcare systems and policymakers, these results underscore the value of multidisciplinary support services and policies aimed at reducing the broader social and economic burden of the disease.
“Routine assessment of these wider impacts, together with closer coordination between healthcare and social support services, may help identify unmet needs early and reduce inequalities among people living with MS.”
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