The Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis: An Historical Perspective

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kassandra L. Munger
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Descriptive Epidemiology ◽  
Ebv Infection ◽  
Over Time

The descriptive epidemiology has proved to be dynamic with attenuation of the latitude gradient, increase in incidence among women, and changes in the sex ratio over time, indicating that recent changes in environmental factors are responsible. Although we still do not know the causes of MS, or how to prevent it, the current evidence supports causal roles for EBV infection, vitamin D, and cigarette smoking.

Sharp increase in the incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 1022-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Etemadifar ◽  
Amir-Hadi Maghzi
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Sharp Increase ◽  
Isfahan Province ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Prevalence Figure

Background: The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) has changed in recent decades. Objectives: This study aimed to give an update on the prevalence and incidence of MS in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: The study population was all residents of Isfahan province during the period from April 2003 to July 2010. In April 2003, a registry of MS patients was created at the Isfahan MS Society (IMSS), which is the only referral center for MS patients in the province. Nearly all MS patients in Isfahan province are now registered with IMSS and were included in the analysis. Results: Among the 3522 registered patients, 2716 were female and 806 were male (sex ratio: 3.37 : 1), and 431 were diagnosed in 2009. This results in a prevalence figure of 73.3 (95% CI: 70.9–75.8) and an incidence of 9.1 (95% CI: 8.3–10.0) per 100,000. Conclusion: The reported prevalence and incidence figures in our study were higher than in our previous report of 2007, in which the prevalence and incidence of MS were reported to be 43.8 and 3.64 per 100,000, respectively. This dramatic increase in the prevalence of MS puts Isfahan amongst the regions with the highest prevalence of MS in Asia and Oceania and is mostly due to changing environmental factors, amongst which vitamin D deficiency seems an important factor in our population.

scholarly journals Supplementation and therapeutic use of vitamin D in patients with multiple sclerosis: Consensus of the Scientific Department of Neuroimmunology of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doralina Guimarães Brum ◽  
Elizabeth Regina Comini-Frota ◽  
Claúdia Cristina F. Vasconcelos ◽  
Elza Dias-Tosta
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Hypovitaminosis D ◽  
Central Nervous System Disease ◽  
Keywords Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
System Disease ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, autoimmune, demyelinating, and degenerative central nervous system disease. Even though the etiology of MS has not yet been fully elucidated, there is evidence that genetic and environmental factors interact to cause the disease. Among the main environmental factors studied, those more likely associated with MS include certain viruses, smoking, and hypovitaminosis D. This review aimed to determine whether there is evidence to recommend the use of vitamin D as monotherapy or as adjunct therapy in patients with MS. We searched PUBMED, EMBASE, COCHRANNE, and LILACS databases for studies published until September 9 th , 2013, using the keywords “multiple sclerosis”, “vitamin D”, and “clinical trial”. There is no scientific evidence up to the production of this consensus for the use of vitamin D as monotherapy for MS in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Geographical Variations in Sex Ratio Trends over Time in Multiple Sclerosis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e48078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Trojano ◽  
Guglielmo Lucchese ◽  
Giusi Graziano ◽  
Bruce V. Taylor ◽  
Steve Simpson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Geographical Variations ◽  
Trends Over Time ◽  
Over Time

Genetic and environmental determinants of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in multiple sclerosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1414-1422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie H Laursen ◽  
Helle Bach Søndergaard ◽  
Anders Albrechtsen ◽  
Ruth Frikke-Schmidt ◽  
Nils Koch-Henriksen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Allelic Discrimination ◽  
Vitamin D Metabolism ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
25 Hydroxyvitamin D

Background: Evidence is accumulating supporting a beneficial effect of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis (MS). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown significant associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in key genes in the vitamin D metabolism. Objective: To examine the association between 25(OH)D and six GWAS SNPs and environmental factors in 1497 MS patients. Methods: Blood samples and lifestyle questionnaires were collected between 2009 and 2012. Genotyping of GC-, CYP2R1- and NADSYN1-SNPs was performed by TaqMan allelic discrimination (Life Technologies). Results: We found significant associations between 25(OH)D and SNPs in GC (rs7041, p = 0.01 and rs2282679, p = 0.03) and CYP2R1 (rs10741657, p =1.8 × 10−4). Season of blood sampling (p = 2.8 × 10−31), sex ( p = 1.9 × 10−5), BMI ( p = 2.3 × 10−5), vitamin supplements ( p = 7.0 × 10−22), and fish intake ( p = 0.02) also had significant effects on 25(OH)D. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study, we found significant effects of environmental factors and SNPs in GC and CYP2R1 on 25(OH)D in MS patients. Since 25(OH)D might have protective effects in MS, and vitamin D supply is a modifiable factor, it may be important to include this in the MS treatment regimen.

scholarly journals Genes and environment in multiple sclerosis: Impact of temporal changes in the sex ratio on recurrence risks

2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110202
Author(s):  
A Dessa Sadovnick ◽  
Irene M Yee ◽  
Maria Criscuoli ◽  
Gabriele C DeLuca
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Familial Risk ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
University Of British Columbia ◽  
Genes And Environment ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To evaluate the impact of temporal increase of female to male (F:M) sex ratio for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) on the familial risk (empiric recurrence risks or RRs) for biological relatives of affected individuals. Methods: Detailed family histories were systematically obtained from people with MS attending the University of British Columbia Hospital MS Clinic. The study cohort was born in 1970 or more recently. Data were collected from 1 September 2015 to 31 January 2019. The study was designed to allow only one proband per family. Age-corrected RRs for biological relatives of probands were calculated based on a modification of the maximum-likelihood approach. Results: Data analyses were possible for 746 unique probands (531 females; 215 males) and 19,585 of their biological relatives. RRs were temporally impacted. Conclusion: Both genetic sharing and environmental factors are important in determining RRs. It appears that there is an increase in MS risk due to environmental factors in later life (i.e. not shared family environment). Environmental exposures in genetically predisposed individuals might be driving the MS risk. The increase in F:M ratio of RRs for sisters/brothers of female probands over time is likely due to environmental differences.

scholarly journals Can we Depend on Sunshine for Vitamin D? A mini review and historical perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirti Mohan Marya
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Sunlight Exposure

Worldwide studies have confirmed that vast population globally is suffering from vitamin D deficiency that can be linked to not only calcium and bone metabolic disorders, but also to diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Traditionally, inadequate sunlight exposure was implicated in Vitamin D deficiency. However recent studies from the Middle East and other countries suggest the contrary and thus unreliable. Test based diagnostics remain the most desirable way to prevent and treat Vitamin D deficiency rather than relying on sunshine.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document