A group of multiple sclerosis patients from across China gather in Beijing on May 27 to mark World Multiple Sclerosis Day, which falls on May 28 this year. Multiple sclerosis is a rare disease that affects a small number of people, but can cause great damage to patients'life quality. Photo provided to China Daily

Although China has a relatively low incidence of multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory disease that damages the brain and spinal cord, resulting in severe destruction of body functions, the lack of public awareness is taking its toll on Chinese sufferers, according to an expert at an photography exhibition on MS in Beijing on May 27 to mark World Multiple Sclerosis Day, which falls on May 28.

The disease is caused by genetics and environmental infections, and is more likely to affect young women. It also has a higher incidence among white people than Asians.

Worldwide, there are about 2.3 million patients diagnosed with MS. In China, there are about 50,000 sufferers, according to Xu Xianhao, a neurologist with Beijing Hospital.

The disease attacks intermittently, but permanent neurological problems often occur as the disease advances. Early signs include bad vision, numbness in limbs and uterine incontinence.

As it advances, the disease also brings about mental suffering, such as depression and anxiety. However, many Chinese doctors, especially those at small hospitals in underprivileged areas, know little about the disease, and the public knows even less.

?As a result, lots of patients are not diagnosed early enough to receive treatment that can prevent new attacks and improve body functions, and many thus suffer from paralysis, Xu said.

Treatment is also costly — as high as 200,000 yuan ($32,000) a year, and public health insurance doesn’t cover most of the relevant drugs, Xu added.

He said he hopes the public and health professionals will be more alert to damage from the disease and that medical insurance will cover at least part of the necessary treatment. About 30 patients from across the country attended the event, which was organized by the Home of Multiple Sclerosis Patients, a Chinese MS patient organization.