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Multiple sclerosis in New Zealand.

Sridhar Alla¹, Deborah F Mason²

¹New Zealand Brain Research Institute, University of Otago, 66 Stewart Street, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand.

Journal of Clinical Neuroscience : Official Journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia

|February 8, 2014

Summary

New Zealand has a high prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in the South Island. Access to disease-modifying treatments for MS in NZ is more restricted compared to other developed countries.

Keywords:

Disability Genetic Incidence Latitude gradient Multiple sclerosis Prevalence Socioeconomic impact

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Epidemiology
Public Health

Background:

New Zealand (NZ) exhibits a high prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS), with significant disparities observed across different populations and geographical regions.
A notable latitudinal gradient in MS prevalence exists, increasing from North to South, and a substantial proportion of individuals with MS experience moderate to severe disability.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in New Zealand, including variations across demographic groups and geographical locations.
To assess the extent of disability among individuals with MS in NZ.
To compare the availability and prescribing guidelines of MS disease-modifying treatments in NZ with those in other developed nations.

Main Methods:

Epidemiological analysis of MS prevalence data in New Zealand.
Assessment of disability status in a cohort of individuals with MS.
Comparative review of treatment guidelines and drug availability for MS.

Main Results:

The overall age and sex-standardized prevalence of MS in NZ is 73.1 per 100,000 population.
MS prevalence is significantly lower in the Māori population (24.2 per 100,000) compared to the general population.
MS prevalence increases threefold from the North (37°S) to the South (48°S) of NZ, and over 56% of individuals with MS report moderate to severe disability.

Conclusions:

New Zealand faces a significant burden of multiple sclerosis, characterized by geographical and ethnic variations in prevalence and a high rate of disability.
Despite the high disease burden, access to disease-modifying treatments for MS in NZ is more limited than in comparable developed countries, indicating a potential gap in care.