Multiple Sclerosis Epidemiology in Middle East and North Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders and a leading cause of nontraumatic disability in young adults in many countries. Recent reports from the Middle East and North Africa have suggested a moderate to high risk of MS in these countries. Methods: A literature search was performed in August 2014 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and IMEMR to retrieve original population-based studies on MS epidemiology in the Middle East and North African countries published between 1st January 1985 and 1st August 2014. We designed search strategies using the key words: MS, prevalence, incidence, and epidemiology. According to the inclusion criteria, 52 studies were included in this systematic review. Results: McDonald's criteria were the most widely used diagnostic criteria in the studies. Most studies were conducted in single hospital-based centers with a defined catchment area. The female/male ratio ranged from 0.8 in Oman to 4.3 in Saudi Arabia. MS prevalence ranged from 14.77/100,000 population in Kuwait (2000) to 101.4/100,000 in Turkey (2006). The overall MS prevalence in the region was 51.52/100,000. The mean age at disease onset ranged from 25.2 years in Kuwait to 32.5 years in Northeastern Iran, with an overall estimate of 28.54 years. Conclusions: Recent advances in MS registries will allow nation-wide studies and temporal comparisons between countries, provided that age- and sex-standardized estimates are available.

Multiple Sclerosis Epidemiology in East Asia, South East Asia and South Asia: A Systematic Review

“…An increase in prevalence has also been observed in other Asian countries, such as Kuwait and Jordan [90][91][92] but the prevalence was much lower than in European countries [93] .…”

Predisposing role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms in the development of multiple sclerosis: A case-control study

“…It is estimated that over 2.1 million people throughout the world suffer from MS episodes [1]. The overall prevalence of MS in Asia is approximately 51.5 per 100,000 people and the average age of onset is 28.54 years [2]. According to the latest data, MS prevalence in Iran is 45 per 100,000 people and age of onset has decreased.…”

Global and Regional Trends of Multiple Sclerosis Disability-Adjusted Life Years Rates: A 25-Year Assessment

“…Another report, however, from a systematic review, which has been done for some countries in this region, revealed increasing MS prevalence trends in some of these countries [33]. The reason could be the presence of entirely heterogeneous countries in this region.…”