Prevalence, Demographics and Clinical Characteristics of Multiple Sclerosis in North of Khuzestan Province, Iran

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, idiopathic and the most common inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that progresses to severe disability. Prevalence of MS is 2-150 per 100,000 people. The main cause of the disease is not clear and occurs due to a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of MS in the northern cities of Khuzestan Province, Iran, as well as to determine the demographic characteristics, initial symptoms at onset, clinical features and the correlation between the above factors with each other. Patients and Methods: In this descriptive correlational study, patients were recruited through the MS Society as well as the neurology clinics and departments of hospitals in north cities of Khuzestan Province (Iran). Data were collected through completing a face to face questionnaire and were analyzed using SPSS version 17 and the chi-square test. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significance. Results: A total of 142 patients were participated in this study. Prevalence of MS was 15 per 100,000 people. Seventy-eight percent of the patients had low literacy, and 81% were unemployed. Female to male ratio was 2.08: 1 that became less in younger patients. 69% and 15% of the patients were relapsing remitting and progressive relapsing, respectively. Demographic characteristics of the patients did not show any statistically significant relationship with clinical courses and signs at onset; however, a significant correlation was seen between severe disability and sex (P = 0.001) as well as between severe disability and progressive-relapsing subtype (P = 0.02). Conclusions: The prevalence of MS showed an increasing rate of the disease in recent years. Decreasing of the female to male ratio and patients' low socioeconomic level, need more studies. The increasing rate of patients with progressive relapsing feature and more disabled patients belong to this subtype show the poor prognosis.

Frequency of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Among Relatives of MS Patients in Hamadan Society, Iran

“…This finding indicated that the incidence rate of familial MS was low in the sample being studied, namely the population in Hamadan society. This result was similar to previous studies where MS was more common in women than in men (18,22). In addition, our result confirmed that healthcare and support services have improved compared to past years (including increased numbers of neurologists and MRIs) (12).…”

“…However, it has been shown that there has been an increase in the prevalence of MS between 2008 (1) and 2013 (5,12,21,22). It has also been reported that 5% -13% of MS patients have an affected relative (23)(24)(25)(26)(27).…”

Association Between HLA-A*02 Genotype and Multiple Sclerosis in Khuzestan Province, Iran

“…Recent investigations showed that the prevalence of MS in Iran increased significantly (12) and it was 45/100,000 individuals (in 2011) (13). In the recent studies, the prevalence of MS in Khuzestan province, South-West of Iran, was 15 -18.50 per 100,000 people (14,15). The clinical studies described 4 types of MS: 1) About 85% of the affected patients are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting (RRMS) type of MS, a relapse phase followed by remission phase (16); 2) The second most frequent type of MS is secondary progressive MS (SPMS) that occurs in about 30% of the patients (1); 3) The third type of MS that affects 10% -15% of people with MS is called primary progressive MS (PPMS) (17); 4) Progressiverelapsing MS (PRMS) occurs in 5% of cases and has overlap with PPMS and SPMS (7).…”

Prevalence of subtypes of multiple sclerosis and the most common clinical symptoms in Iranian patients: A meta‐analysis

“…If this type develops to progressive neurological relapse between the attacks, the MS subtypes is SP subtype. The PP subtype, which is more common among older men, is characterized by no remission after the initial symptoms …”

“…It is believed that the type of initial symptoms affects the disease prognosis; for example, sensory symptoms will be diagnosed more easily than cerebellar or motor involvement at the beginning of the disease . In contrast, clinical manifestation of MS might differ geographically.…”