Epidemiological parameters of  multiple sclerosis in Chaharmahal  and Bakhtiari Province, Iran

Mohammad Amin Omrani; Asghar Bayati; Mohammad Ali Sahraian; Sharareh Eskandarieh

doi:10.18502/cjn.v22i2.13337

Mohammad Amin Omrani Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Asghar Bayati Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Mohammad Ali Sahraian Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sharareh Eskandarieh Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/cjn.v22i2.13337

Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; Epidemiology; Iran

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease with a high burden and disability. There are reports of various medications’ side effects on patients with MS. The aim of the study is to determine the characteristics and medicine usage distribution among patients with MS in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province in Iran.

Methods: This registry-based cross-sectional study was performed among MS cases in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. The epidemiological data were collected from the nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI) from 2019 to 2022. The information collected included age, sex, family history, type of MS, age at MS onset and diagnosis, MS symptoms, physical condition, and history of medication use. All tests were performed at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS software.

Results: A total of 416 patients included in this study. Among them, 325 individuals (78%) were women with mean ± standard deviation (SD) of age of 37.35 ± 8.51 years. No significant difference was observed between men and women in terms of age, type of MS disease, family history of MS, and physical condition (P > 0.05). The results showed that the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score in female patients (1.41) was different from the EDSS score in male patients (1.77) (P < 0.05). Most of the patients often used interferon beta (IFN-β).

Conclusion: The results provided new insight into the epidemiology and medicine patterns of patients with MS in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. The epidemiological situation of MS in this province is similar to other parts of Iran. Planning according to national programs is suggested for the management and control of MS.