Rising prevalence of demyelinating disorders in Mongolia
- VernacularTitle: Монгол Улсын миелингүйжих зарим эмгэгүүдийн тархалтыг судалсан дүн
- Author:
Urantugs G
1
;
Nyamsuren B
1
;
Gantuya D
1
;
Natsagdorj L
2
Author Information
1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, MNUMS
2. Third State Central Hospital, Mongolia
- Publication Type:Other Types
- Keywords:
MS;
NMOSD;
Capital;
Province;
Latitude.
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2025;88(4):238-243
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Demyelinating disorders are a group of chronic immune-mediated diseases affecting myelinated axons in
the central nervous system, which lead to life-long disability. In Mongolia, the last regional prevalence study was conduct
ed in 2010. Our study objective is to describe the current prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating
disorders in Mongolia.
Aim
Materials and Methods:We registered MS, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte
glycoprotein (MOG), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) cases diagnosed according to the 2017 McDon
ald criteria, the 2023 NMOSD diagnostic criteria, International MOGAD Panel proposed criteria.
Results:The study was conducted in all tertiary, 7 regional, and 20 provincial hospitals across Mongolia and has collected
comprehensive data on 965 patients. The prevalence of total demyelinating disorders was estimated to be 27.2, MS 15.6,
NMOSD 5.6, MOG 0.06, and ADEM 0.9 per 100,000 total population, respectively. The prevalence of demyelinating
disorders between provinces was compared in order of geographical latitude, from lowest to highest, and was statistically
significant. Latitude is associated strongly with the prevalence of demyelinating disorders (p=0.006, 95% CI 14.3-22.4,
Pearson correlation=0.603) and moderately with the prevalence of MS (p=0.028, 95% CI 9.39-15.6, Pearson correla
tion=0.503).
Conclusion:In Mongolia, the prevalence of MS has significantly increased and can be considered at medium risk, but
still much lower than that in Western countries. The prevalence of NMOSD is almost similar to other Asian countries. An
obvious latitude gradient for demyelinating disorders was observed in the Mongolian population.
- Full text:2025052216082169541238-243.pdf
