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Multiple sclerosis in Iraq: does it have the same features encountered in Western countries?
Adnan Al-Araji1, Ayad I Mohammed
1Baghdad MS Clinic, Medical City Teaching Hospital, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. adnanalaraji@yahoo.com
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|June 11, 2005
Summary
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is not rare in Iraq, with demographic and clinical features resembling Caucasian populations. Recent trends show increasing incidence and female predominance over the last two decades.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease with variable clinical presentations.
- Understanding the epidemiology of MS in underrepresented regions is crucial for global health insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical, demographic, and epidemiological features of Multiple Sclerosis patients in Iraq.
- To provide insights into MS prevalence and characteristics within the Middle Eastern region.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of consecutive Iraqi MS patients (n=300) attending the Baghdad Multidiscipline MS Clinic.
- Data collected between 2000 and 2002, adhering to Poser et al. criteria for clinically definite and probable MS.
Main Results:
- The study identified 300 MS patients (54.7% female) with a mean age of onset of 29.2 years.
- Motor (31.7%) and sensory (28.3%) symptoms were the most common initial presentations.
- The relapsing-remitting course was most frequent (66.3%), followed by secondary progressive (18.7%) and primary progressive (15%).
Conclusions:
- Multiple Sclerosis is not rare in Iraq, with generally similar demographic and clinical data to Caucasian populations.
- Evidence suggests a potential North-South gradient and an increasing incidence trend, particularly with a higher female preponderance in the last two decades.
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