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Is the frequency of multiple sclerosis increasing in Mexico?
1Neuroimmunology Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico, Mexico, DF.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence increased significantly in Mexican mestizos between the 1970s and 1990s. This study found younger onset and milder disability in this population compared to others.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) was historically rare in Mexican mestizos.
- Recent decades have seen a notable rise in MS incidence within this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changing epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Mexican mestizos.
- To characterize the clinical presentation and familial incidence of MS in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of neurology ward admissions.
- Comparison of demographic, clinical, and familial data over time.
Main Results:
- MS became the second leading cause for neurology admissions by the 1990s.
- Patients were typically from high socioeconomic and educational backgrounds.
- Age at onset was younger, and long-term disability was milder than in other reported series.
Conclusions:
- Multiple sclerosis incidence has significantly increased among Mexican mestizos.
- The disease presents with distinct characteristics, including earlier onset and milder progression, in this population.