Sociocultural and Demographic Risk Factors for the Development of Multiple Sclerosis in Kuwait: A Case - Control...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis involves immunological, genetic, and environmental factors.
• Most MS risk factor studies focus on Caucasian populations, with limited research in Arab populations.
• Kuwait, an Arab country, presents a unique setting for studying MS risk factors amidst demographic shifts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify behavioral, socio-cultural, and demographic factors associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) development in Kuwait.
• To investigate potential risk and protective factors for MS in a high-income Arab population.
• To contribute to understanding MS etiology in underrepresented ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 195 Kuwaiti MS patients and 146 healthy controls.
• Data collection via structured interviews on anthropometrics, socio-cultural and demographic data, Gulf War residence, and medical history.
• Clinical evaluation and retrospective medical record review for patient comorbidities and treatment history.

Main Results:

• Non-Bedouin ethnicity (AOR 2), positive family history of MS (AOR 10.6), and low daily sunlight exposure (<15min/day, AOR 5.3) were associated with increased MS risk.
• Comorbidities were more prevalent in MS patients (41.8%) than controls (26.8%), suggesting a potential increased MS risk (AOR 2.4).
• Bedouin ethnicity and higher sunlight exposure showed potential protective effects, though smoking status was not significant overall.

Conclusions:

• Positive family history of MS and certain comorbidities are associated with increased MS risk.
• Bedouin ethnicity and greater daily sunlight exposure may offer some protection against MS.
• The potential role of vitamin D in the sunlight-MS relationship warrants further investigation.