MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS EPIDEMIOLOGY IN ARABIAN GULF REGION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory multifocal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with progressive neurodegeneration. MS is one of the world's most common neurologic disorders and consider to be the most common cause of non-traumatic disability in young adults. According to Atlas multiple sclerosis of WHO, the median estimated prevalence and incidence of MS is greatest in Europe followed by the Eastern Mediterranean, the Americas, the Western Pacific, South-East Asia and Africa. The Arabian Gulf Region is located in a low-risk zone for MS; however, recent studies suggest a moderate-to-high prevalence nearby. Objective: In our review we aim to describe and compare demographic and clinical characteristics of MS in Arabian gulf countries (AGCs). Methods: PubMed database were used for articles selection. All relevant articles related to our review were chosen to cover the following topics: Multiple sclerosis, epidemiology, prevalence, incidence. We excluded other articles, which are not related to our objectives. The data have been extracted according to specific form to be reviewed by the authors Results and discussion: We enrolled a total of 13 studies according to our inclusion, and exclusion criteria. McDonald's criteria were the most widely used diagnostic criteria in the studies. Most studies were conducted in single hospital-based centers with a defined catchment area. The female/male ratio ranged from 1.1 in Oman to 4.3 in Saudi Arabia. The mean age at disease onset ranged from 25.2 years Kuwait to 32 years Saudi Arabia. MS prevalence ranged from 85.05/100,000 in 2013 to 4/100000 in 2000 reported in Kuwait and Oman respectively. Conclusion: There is an increase in the prevalence and incidence that were reported in some AGCs such as Kuwait over the years. However, the prevalence and incidence of MS overall in are not well-documented in many countries of Arabian Gulf Region. Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Arabian Gulf Countries (AGCs), Prevalence, Incidence, Clinical course