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Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Initial clinical and radiological features of patients with multiple sclerosis in Oman
Salma Al-Abri1, Abdullah Al-Asmi2, Sachin Jose3
1Internal Medicine Program, Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB), Muscat, Oman.
Background And Objective:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong demyelinating disorder with a varying disease course, resulting in different degrees of physical disability for affected patients. This study aimed to present the initial clinicoradiological features of Omani MS patients presenting to a tertiary care center in Oman.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, all Omani patients diagnosed with MS from January 2006 to December 2020, whose treatment and followup were conducted in our center, were included. Data was retrieved from the patients' medical records. Disability status was assessed according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale.
Results:
A total of N = 155 Omani patients were diagnosed with MS of whom 68.4% were female. The mean age at diagnosis was 28.6 ± 8 years. The mean duration from symptoms to diagnosis was 1.9 years. Relapsing-remitting MS was diagnosed in 97.4% patients. Most common presenting symptoms were unifocal (84.5%), supratentorial (34.2%) and optic pathway (33.5%). At first assessment, 94.8% patients had no to mild disabilities and 3.2% had severe disabilities. During the mean follow up period of 61.2 months, the frequency of severe disabilities increased to 12.9%. Out of 155 patients, 98 (63.2%) had their initial brain magnetic resonance (MRI) report available for review, 62/98 (63%) of whom showed ≥ 20 T2-weighted (T2W) lesions. Of these lesions, 75/98 (76.5%) were periventricular, 66 (67.3%) juxtacortical, and 56 (57.1%) infratentorial. The most common initially prescribed disease modifying therapies (DMT) were interferons (104/155; 67%), followed by fingolimod (16; 10.3%), natalizumab (14; 9%) and dimethyl fumarate (4; 2.6%).
Conclusions:
The results of this study indicate that the demographic and clinicoradiological features of MS patients in Oman are similar to those reported elsewhere in the Arabian Gulf region.
Insights
This study describes the initial clinical and radiological features of 155 Omani patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings indicate that Omani MS patients share similar characteristics with those in the broader Arabian Gulf region.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Demyelinating Diseases
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disorder impacting the central nervous system.
- Disease progression and resulting disability vary significantly among patients.
- Understanding initial presentation is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the initial demographic, clinical, and radiological features of Omani patients with multiple sclerosis.
- To establish a baseline for understanding MS in the Omani population.
- To compare these features with those reported in other regions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 155 Omani patients diagnosed with MS between 2006 and 2020.
- Data collection from medical records, including Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.
- Review of initial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports for lesion characteristics.
Main Results:
- The majority (68.4%) of the 155 Omani MS patients were female, with a mean age at diagnosis of 28.6 years.
- Relapsing-remitting MS (97.4%) was the predominant form, with common symptoms including unifocal, supratentorial, and optic pathway involvement.
- Most patients presented with mild disability (94.8%), but severe disability increased to 12.9% during follow-up. Initial MRI revealed common periventricular, juxtacortical, and infratentorial T2W lesions.
Conclusions:
- The demographic and clinicoradiological profile of Omani MS patients aligns with findings from the Arabian Gulf region.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are key, as disability can progress over time.
- This study provides valuable insights into MS presentation within Oman.
