Prevalence, demographics and clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis in Qatar. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • No published epidemiologic data on multiple sclerosis (MS) in Qatar exist. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence, demographics and clinical characteristics of MS in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar. We analyzed data for Qatari MS patients fulfilling the McDonald diagnostic criteria. A total of 154 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. On 31 April 2010, the crude prevalence of MS in Qatar was 64.57 per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI: 58.31-70.37). The female-to-male ratio was 1.33:1. A positive family history was found in 10.4% of included MS patients. We conclude that Qatar is now a medium-to-high risk area for MS, with some important differences in clinical characteristics as compared to other countries in the region.

publication date

  • September 11, 2012

Research

keywords

  • Multiple Sclerosis

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84877636006

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1177/1352458512459291

PubMed ID

  • 22968545

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 19

issue

  • 6