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Multiple sclerosis--Indian experience
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) does occur in India but it is rare. No epidemiological studies have been done. The calculations based on the hospital data suggest an approximate prevalence rate of 0.17 to 1.33 per 100,000 of population in different parts of India. One hundred and five patients with clinically definite MS (2 proven at autopsy) and 14 patients with neuromyelitis optica were seen in the Bombay region from 1957 to 1983. The mean age of onset for MS patients was 27.7 years. There were 60 female and 45 male patients. The clinical data in this larger series confirm the conclusions reached earlier, namely that the Indian MS patients are more akin to those reported from Japan and other Asian countries as compared to the West. The relative incidence of neuromyelitis optica was high (6%). The optico-spinal form of MS was the commonest (71.4%). In patients with clinically definite MS there was a high incidence of optic nerve involvement, both at the onset and during the course of the disease; sensory level occurred in a large number of patients and cerebellar involvement was less frequent. Multiple sclerosis in this series affected patients of all communities and different dietary habits. MS was more common in the higher socioeconomic group whereas neuromyelitis optica was mainly seen in patients in the low socioeconomic group.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is rare in India, with prevalence rates varying by region. Indian MS patients exhibit clinical similarities to Asian populations, with a high incidence of optico-spinal forms and optic nerve involvement.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare neurological condition in India, with limited epidemiological data available.
- Previous studies suggested distinct clinical characteristics of MS in India compared to Western populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of MS in India.
- To describe the clinical characteristics of MS patients in India.
- To compare Indian MS patients with those from other global regions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of hospital data to calculate prevalence rates.
- Retrospective review of 105 clinically definite MS cases and 14 neuromyelitis optica cases in the Bombay region (1957-1983).
- Assessment of patient demographics, age of onset, clinical presentation, and socioeconomic status.
Main Results:
- Estimated MS prevalence ranges from 0.17 to 1.33 per 100,000 population.
- Mean age of onset for MS was 27.7 years; 60 females and 45 males.
- Indian MS patients showed similarities to Asian populations; optico-spinal MS was most common (71.4%), with high rates of optic nerve involvement.
- Neuromyelitis optica incidence was relatively high (6%).
- MS affected all communities and dietary habits, predominantly in higher socioeconomic groups, while neuromyelitis optica was more common in lower socioeconomic groups.
Conclusions:
- MS is rare in India, with prevalence varying regionally.
- Clinical presentation of MS in India aligns more closely with Asian rather than Western cohorts.
- Optic nerve involvement and optico-spinal MS are prominent features in the Indian population.