Rising prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia, a descriptive study

Abstract

Background: In 2015, the first nationwide, multicenter Multiple Sclerosis (MS) registry was initiated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) mainly with an objective to describe current epidemiology, disease patterns, and clinical characteristics of MS in Saudi Arabia. This article aimed to report initial findings of the registry and regional prevalence of MS. Method: In 2015, a national MS registry was launched in KSA to register all MS patient with confirmed diagnosis according to the 2010 McDonald Criteria. The registry aimed to identify and recruit all healthcare facilities treating MS patients in the Kingdom, and collect data such as demographics, clinical characteristics (disease onset, diagnosis, presentation of symptoms at onset, disease course, relapse rate, and disability measures), family history, and treatments. All the included sites have obtained IRB/EC approvals for participating in the registry. Currently, the registry includes 20 hospitals from different regions across the Kingdom. The Projected prevalence was calculated based on the assumption that the number of diagnosed MS cases in participating hospitals (in each region) is similar to the number of cases in remaining nonparticipant hospitals in the same region. Results: As of September 2018, the registry has included 20 hospitals from the different regions across the Kingdom and has collected comprehensive data on 2516 patients from those hospitals, with median age 32 (Range: 11-63) and 66.5% being females. The reported prevalence of MS for those hospitals was estimated to be 7.70/100,000 population and 11.80/100,000 Saudi nationals. Based on the assumption made earlier, we projected the prevalence for each region and for the country as a whole. The overall prevalence of MS at the country level was reported to be 40.40/100,000 total population and 61.95/100,000 Saudi nationals. Around 3 out of every 4 patients (77.5%) were 40 years of age or younger. Female to male ratio was 2:1. The prevalence was higher among females, young and educated individuals across all five regions of Saudi Arabia. Conclusion: The prevalence of MS has significantly increased in Saudi Arabia but is still much lower than that in the western and other neighboring countries like Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. However, compared to the past rates, Saudi Arabia's projected prevalence of MS through this national study is 40.40/100,000 population, putting the Kingdom above the low risk zone as per Kurtzke classification. The projected prevalence was estimated to be much higher among Saudi nationals (61.95/100,000 Saudi-nationals). The prevalence was higher among female, younger and educated individuals. Further studies are needed to assess the risk factors associated with increased prevalence in Saudi Arabia.

Socioeconomic determinants of global distribution of multiple sclerosis: an ecological investigation based on Global Burden of Disease data

“…Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that usually starts in the third or fourth decades of life [ 1 – 3 ]. MS has a complex etiology and its causes are currently not fully understood, but it is known that it is one of the leading reasons of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults, leading to remarkable socioeconomic impacts and the need for lifetime support and management [ 4 – 6 ].…”

Family Planning for People with Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: an Expert Consensus

“…Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) commonly arises before middle age, at a time when families are likely to be planning to have children [ 1 ]. Recent (2020) survey data from a registry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) showed that about three of every four patients with MS were aged 40 years or less at the time of their MS diagnosis [ 2 ]. Moreover, two-thirds of Saudi MS patients in this study were females, suggesting that about half of patients with MS in KSA are women of childbearing potential [ 2 ].…”

“…Recent (2020) survey data from a registry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) showed that about three of every four patients with MS were aged 40 years or less at the time of their MS diagnosis [ 2 ]. Moreover, two-thirds of Saudi MS patients in this study were females, suggesting that about half of patients with MS in KSA are women of childbearing potential [ 2 ]. In addition, the prevalence of MS has been rising in recent decades, suggesting an increasing burden of MS among this population [ 2 ].…”

“…Moreover, two-thirds of Saudi MS patients in this study were females, suggesting that about half of patients with MS in KSA are women of childbearing potential [ 2 ]. In addition, the prevalence of MS has been rising in recent decades, suggesting an increasing burden of MS among this population [ 2 ].…”

Social Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Are Common Among Persons With Multiple Sclerosis at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh

“…MS in the Middle East North Africa region has increased consistently with the growing global prevalence of the disease [5]. In a recent Saudi study, the prevalence of MS was 40.4/100,000 population, with threefourths of pwMS younger than 40 years of age and a female to male ratio of 2:1 [6]. A local Saudi study from 1998 suggested that the onset was mostly in the third decade, with the majority of pwMS having RRMS [7].…”