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@caromawer 

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caromawer

People with MS dying on average age 66

What does Shift MS think about this weeks BMJ report that people with MS die, on average, age 66? See : Figure 5 in https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/683998/Deaths_associated_with_neurological_conditions_data_briefing.pdf I had been told that death occurred 'a few years earlier' than in the general population. 66 is not 'a few years' earlier! This is much worse than for other neurological conditions : "The mean age of death among people with a neurological disorder was 74—four years less than the mean age of death from all causes" I'm going to read the full report - its at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/683860/Deaths_associated_with_neurological_conditions_data_analysis_report.pdf I especially want to see if there is any time trend data But this does raise very significant issues for me Including about the DMARDs - which I've avoided taking for 30 years. Are they disease modifying, but not death modifying? Or would it be / is it even worse without them?
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@Stumbler
@Stumbler
 

@caromawer , It's said, there are "lies, bloody lies and statistics" and this is just another statistic. Yes, it does quote the "mean" age of death of someone with MS is 66. But it also says that that the percentage of deaths of someone with MS under the age of 75 is 73%. So, a quarter of us are still going to be here after 75. And, this is all historical data. What's happened before may not be what will happen tomorrow. The human race is constantly evolving, learning more and living better (if we avoid obesity!). Back 20 years ago, being diagnosed with HIV was a death sentence. I know someone affected by that and he's just picked up his State Pension last year! Am I worried? Not in the slightest, and I've only got four years left! Well, I won't have to worry what I'm going to spend my State Pension on! You can use it to help pay off the UK's deficit. :wink:

@EdmontonAlberta
@EdmontonAlberta
 

Thanks for my morning chuckle Caroline. In Britain, the average age of death for those born in 1981 is "expected to be" 80+ for women & 76 for men. Your first link shows the mean age of death for those with "traumatic brain and spine injury" is 75. Those with Parkinson's is 82. As stumber suggested, "Lies, Damn lies and statistics"...