Author/Authors :
pakdel, manizhe neyshabur university of medical sciences - student research committee, neyshabur, iran , hedstrom, anna karolinska institute - department of clinical neuroscience, institute of environmental medicine, stockholm, sweden , marufi, nilufar neyshabur university of medical sciences - student research committee, neyshabur, iran , hooshmand, elham university of social welfare and rehabilitation sciences - iranian research center on aging, tehran, iran , mohammadi, ali akbar neyshabur university of medical sciences - department of environmental health engineering, neyshabur, iran , marashi, reza neyshabur university of medical sciences - student research committee, neyshabur, iran , khosh kholgh, neda neyshabur university of medical sciences - student research committee, neyshabur, iran , kazemi moghaddam, vahid neyshabur university of medical sciences - department of environmental health engineering, neyshabur, iran
Abstract :
background and objectives: the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (ms) differs between different regions of iran. this study aimed to investigate changes in prevalence and incidence rates of ms in ten ethnic and cultural zones of iran set by the ministry of health and medical education. materials and methods: information on ms incidence and prevalence was obtained from the national registry of ms during the study period 2006 -2013. demographic data were acquired from the statistical centre of iran. results: a rising trend of ms prevalence was observed in iran, and overall, the prevalence of ms increased by 3.67% per year. the highest prevalence rates of ms, and the most dramatic increase in ms prevalence, occurred in the central areas of iran. however, during the 7year period, the prevalence gradually increased also in southern and western areas. conclusion: the prevalence and incidence of ms have been rapidly increasing in all regions of iran, especially from central to western and southern regions.
Keywords :
incidence , iran , location , multiple sclerosis , prevalence
