Prevalence of multiple sclerosis and environmental factors in Kerman province, Iran
- Author:
Hossein Ali Ebrahimi
;
Behnaz Sedighi
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Neurology Asia
2013;18(4):385-389
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: In this study we investigated the epidemiology of MS and some related environmental
factors in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. Methods: The MS diagnosis was based on the revised
Mc-Donald criteria. The patients were those registered at the Iran MS society, Kerman branch; those
in the MS registration centers of Kerman and Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, and the
Department of Neurology at Shafa Medical Center were studied. Results: The prevalence of MS was
31.5 per 100,000 population in Kerman province, and 57.3 per 100,000 population in Kerman city.
The male to female ratio was 1:3. Average age at onset was 28.35 years, and 3.9% of cases were
early onset at ≤16 years of age. A linear relationship was observed between prevalence and average
environmental temperature as prevalence tended to be lower in areas where the annual average
temperature was higher. However, in the town of Shahrbabak which has cold weather, prevalence
was low, which might be related to the presence of copper in this area. Average disability was 4.5±
1.9 (4.83 ± 1.9 in men and 4.26 ± 1.8 in women, p=0.0035) on the Kurtzke Disability Status Scale.
The mean duration of illness was 8.2 ± 1 year. Almost all patients in this study used beta-interferon
for a period of at least 4 years.
Conclusion: The prevalence of MS in Kerman province was 31.5 per 100,000 people. A linear
relationship between an increase in prevalence and low average temperature was observed. Copper
may have a preventive effect.
- Full text:P020150702595670477367.pdf
