Over 30% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) - Ireland's most common disabling neurological condition - do not keep any record of their symptoms in between their medical appointments, a new survey has found.

MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, which causes a gradual degeneration of the nerves. This results in a progressive deterioration in various functions controlled by the nervous system, such as vision, speech and movement.

Around 8,000 Irish people are affected.

Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) is the most common form of the disease. A relapse is defined as the appearance of new symptoms, or the return of old symptoms, for a period of 24 hours or more, in the absence of a change in core body temperature or infection.

According to the survey of over 350 people, some 85% of people with MS will experience relapses at some stage. However, while many people agree that reporting relapses to their healthcare professional is extremely important, almost half (45%) admitted to experiencing relapses, but not reporting them.

"An increase in relapses can mean that a person with MS might require a different approach to their treatment. It is incredibly important that people with MS record any changes they notice in their condition so that they can discuss those changes with their healthcare professional and informed decisions can be made about managing their MS most appropriately," commented Dr Killian O'Rourke, a consultant neurologist at the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

The research was released to coincide with the launch of the first dedicated iPhone and Android symptom tracker app for people with MS. The aim of the app, SymTrac, is to help people to take more control of their health by more closely monitoring changes in their condition.

The app records symptoms and general health information and creates charts, which can be stored and then shown to healthcare professionals during consultations.

"SymTrac will be a really helpful way of keeping this information in one place, and helping people to remember everything they want to discuss during their appointment, ensuring they get the most from their appointment," Dr O'Rourke said.

A new information booklet about MS has also been produced and can be obtained from MS Ireland. It provides information about what to expect if a relapse occurs and how to manage this.

"We need to encourage people with MS to realise how important it is to take control of their own personal health by monitoring, recording and reporting changes in their condition. The new app and materials will be really beneficial to our members, helping them to learn more about reporting and recording relapses, and keep track of their MS in one convenient place," commented MS Ireland chief executive, Ava Battles.

SymTrac can be downloaded for free from the iTunes App Store. The information booklet, Understanding Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis, can be downloaded from the MS Ireland website here.