Multiple sclerosis impacts clinical treatment and education in Italy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) continues to present significant clinical and social challenges in Italy, where over 140,000 people are affected. Recent clinical developments highlight the benefits of a subcutaneous formulation of ocrelizumab. According to the Phase III OCARINA II study, this subcutaneous version demonstrated non-inferiority to the intravenous formulation regarding efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics, while significantly reducing administration time.

Beyond clinical treatments, the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association (AISM) is raising awareness regarding the impact of the disease on education. Data from the 2026 MS Barometer indicates that MS often affects young people, with nearly one in five diagnoses occurring in those under 25. The association reports that 70% of students living with MS faced academic difficulties, with 86% of university students reporting challenges. AISM president Gianluca Pedicini emphasized that symptoms such as fatigue and frequent absences are often misidentified as lack of motivation rather than manifestations of the disease.