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Migration and multiple sclerosis: the French West Indies experience
1Service de Neurologie, CHU Fort de France, Hôpital Pierre Zobda Quitman, BP 97261, Fort de France, Martinique, France. pcabre_fr@yahoo.fr
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|July 27, 2007
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) has emerged in the French West Indies (FWI) following population migration. Reduced sunlight and parasite exposure in childhood may explain this increase in MS incidence.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Neurology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) emergence observed in the French West Indies (FWI).
- This phenomenon is linked to the return migration of FWI populations from continental France.
- The study investigates the epidemiological changes and potential environmental factors associated with MS in the FWI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and incidence of MS in Martinique and Guadeloupe.
- To analyze the clinical spectrum of MS in the FWI.
- To explore the association between migration patterns, environmental factors, and MS emergence.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological study using prevalence and incidence data.
- Comparison of MS rates between Martinique and Guadeloupe.
- Analysis of migration history and childhood environmental exposures (sunlight, parasitic infections).
Main Results:
- MS prevalence was 14.8/10(5) in 1999, with mean annual incidence of 1.4/10(5) (1997-2002).
- Martinique showed higher MS prevalence (21.0/10(5)) than Guadeloupe (8.5/10(5)), correlating with return migration.
- Migrants exhibited a 1.71-fold increased MS incidence, significantly higher (4.05-fold) if migration occurred before age 15.
Conclusions:
- Return migration is associated with MS emergence in the FWI.
- Reduced childhood exposure to sunlight and intestinal parasites are potential environmental triggers for MS.
- Further research into environmental factors is warranted to understand MS etiology in this population.
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