Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Kermanshah, Iran in 2012

Background and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disorder in young adults that leads to their disability. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of MS in Kermanshah, Iran in 2012. In this descriptive study, total of 448 MS patients in Kermanshah were studied. Data for this study were derived from patients’ files, whom were members of MS Society in Kermanshah. SPSS software was used for this research. The prevalence of MS in Kermanshah was 43.3 in 100,000 population, that the rate for women and men were 65.6 and 21.9 in 100,000 population, respectively. The onset for this disease was 30.8 years and the age-group of 30-34 years devoted the highest proportion of its morbidity to itself (20.1%). 1.2% of patients had familial history of MS in first-degree relatives. Sensory disturbances are the highest manifestations of MS onset (24.1%). 42.6% of patients have been diagnosed within 6 months after the onset of symptoms. According to the results of this study, there was a high prevalence of MS in Kermanshah and the incidence of this disease was more probable among youths (especially in women). Furthermore, more comprehensive studies are required on epidemiological data and risk factors of MS.