BACKGROUND: Kuwait was considered as low to intermediate risk area for MS. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and incidence rates of MS among Kuwaiti nationals based on 2011 population census. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2010 and April 2013 using the newly developed national MS registry in Kuwait. Patients with a diagnosis of MS according to 2010 revised McDonald criteria were identified. The crude, age- and sex-specific prevalence and incidence rates among Kuwaiti patients were calculated. RESULTS: 1176 MS patients were identified of which 927 (78.8%) were Kuwaitis and 249 (21.2%) were expatriates. Among Kuwaiti patients, female to male ratio was 1.8:1 with a mean age of 35.40 ± 10.99 years. The prevalence rate of MS was 85.05 per 100,000 persons (95% CI: 82.80 - 87.04). There was a peak in prevalence among patients aged 30-39 years. The incidence of MS was 6.88 per 100,000 persons (95% CI 5.52-8.55). Between 2003 and 2011, the incidence increased 3.22 and 2.54 times in women and men respectively. CONCLUSION: Kuwait is considered a high-risk area for MS. The significant increase in prevalence and incidence rates may represent a true increase despite the improvement in case ascertainment and case definition.
BACKGROUND: Kuwait was considered as low to intermediate risk area for MS. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and incidence rates of MS among Kuwaiti nationals based on 2011 population census. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2010 and April 2013 using the newly developed national MS registry in Kuwait. Patients with a diagnosis of MS according to 2010 revised McDonald criteria were identified. The crude, age- and sex-specific prevalence and incidence rates among Kuwaiti patients were calculated. RESULTS: 1176 MS patients were identified of which 927 (78.8%) were Kuwaitis and 249 (21.2%) were expatriates. Among Kuwaiti patients, female to male ratio was 1.8:1 with a mean age of 35.40 ± 10.99 years. The prevalence rate of MS was 85.05 per 100,000 persons (95% CI: 82.80 - 87.04). There was a peak in prevalence among patients aged 30-39 years. The incidence of MS was 6.88 per 100,000 persons (95% CI 5.52-8.55). Between 2003 and 2011, the incidence increased 3.22 and 2.54 times in women and men respectively. CONCLUSION: Kuwait is considered a high-risk area for MS. The significant increase in prevalence and incidence rates may represent a true increase despite the improvement in case ascertainment and case definition.
Authors: Abdullah Al-Asmi; Salim Al-Rawahi; Zahir Saif Al-Moqbali; Yahya Al-Farsi; Musthafa M Essa; May El-Bouri; Roopa P Koshy; Arunodaya R Gujjar; P C Jacob; Abeer Al-Hodar; Samir Al Adawi Journal: BMC Neurol Date: 2015-08-05 Impact factor: 2.474
Authors: Raed A Alroughani; Hany M Aref; Saeed A Bohlega; Maurice P Dahdaleh; Imed Feki; Mohammed A Al Jumah; Muhammad Z Al-Kawi; Salam F Koussa; Mohamad A Sahraian; Isa A Alsharoqi; Bassem I Yamout Journal: BMC Neurol Date: 2014-02-12 Impact factor: 2.474