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A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Multiple sclerosis among immigrants in Greater London
British Medical Journal
|April 10, 1976
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) risk was high for immigrants from Europe and similar regions, comparable to UK natives. However, immigrants from Asian and African countries showed a low MS incidence, with no increased risk observed when moving from low-risk areas.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Immigration Health
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease with a variable geographical distribution.
- Understanding the influence of migration on MS risk is crucial for public health.
- Previous studies suggest environmental factors play a role in MS etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of hospital admissions for probable multiple sclerosis (MS) among immigrants in greater London.
- To compare MS incidence rates between different immigrant groups and native-born UK residents.
- To examine the impact of country of origin and parental birthplace on MS risk in migrants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study analyzing hospital admission data for probable MS.
- Inclusion criteria: immigrants resident in greater London between 1960 and 1972.
- Comparison groups: immigrants from various global regions (Europe, Asia, Africa, Americas, etc.) and UK-born individuals.
Main Results:
- High to moderate MS incidence was observed in immigrants from Europe, the USSR, old Commonwealth countries, and the Americas, similar to UK-born individuals.
- Low MS incidence was found in immigrants from India, Pakistan, Asian countries, and new Commonwealth Africa/West Indies.
- Immigrants from low-risk regions with European-born parents showed reduced, but not the lowest, MS incidence.
Conclusions:
- Migration from high-risk regions (e.g., Europe) to England did not alter the MS risk compared to native-born individuals.
- Emigration from low-risk areas did not appear to increase the risk of developing MS.
- Parental birthplace may influence MS risk in migrant populations, suggesting complex genetic and environmental interactions.
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