1. Familial multiple sclerosis: does consanguinity have a role?
- Author
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Al Jumah M, Kojan S, Al Khathaami A, Al Abdulkaream I, Al Blawi M, and Jawhary A
- Subjects
- Case-Control Studies, Databases, Factual, Humans, Pedigree, Prevalence, Registries, Risk Factors, Saudi Arabia, Consanguinity, Multiple Sclerosis epidemiology, Multiple Sclerosis genetics
- Abstract
Parental consanguinity (PC) may be a risk factor for familial multiple sclerosis (FMS) throughout inbred communities. The objective of this report was to estimate prevalence of FMS and rate of PC among FMS versus non-FMS patients. All Saudi MS patients were identified from our registry. The history of PC was analyzed as a case-control study. In total 141 MS patients were identified. Of these, 30 (21%) reported having at least one affected relative, 37.6% reported PC and 16% presented first-degree PC. In addition, FMS patients were more likely than non-FMS patients to report PC. In conclusion, FMS is prevalent among Saudi MS patients. MS patients with a history of PC were more likely to have FMS, suggesting a potential role of consanguinity.
- Published
- 2011
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