Benign multiple sclerosis in Crete

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epidemiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence and characteristics can vary geographically.
• Understanding MS in isolated populations like Crete offers insights into genetic and environmental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiology and clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) on the island of Crete.
• To identify factors associated with a benign disease progression in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• Case ascertainment through the MS Epidemiology Program Project of Crete.
• Diagnosis and classification using established clinical and MRI criteria.
• Detailed clinical evaluations, laboratory tests, and a 36-item questionnaire for prognosis analysis.

Main Results:

• Identified 587 MS cases, predominantly of Cretan origin.
• Average age at onset was 31.5 years; average disease duration was 12.7 years.
• Nearly 40% of patients with >10 years of disease duration had mild disability (EDSS ≤3); 30% of relapsing-remitting MS patients had benign evolution (>20 years, EDSS ≤3).

Conclusions:

• A substantial proportion of multiple sclerosis patients from Crete exhibit a benign disease course.
• This benign MS progression may be influenced by the population's genetic background and/or environmental factors.