1. Towards establishing MS prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Author
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Melcon MO, Melcon CM, Bartoloni L, Cristiano E, Duran JC, Grzesiuk AK, Fragoso YD, Brooks JB, Díaz V, Romero García KM, Cabrera Gomez JA, Abad P, Islas MA, Gracia F, Diaz de Bedoya VF, Ruiz ME, Hackembruch JH, Oehninger C, Ketzoian CN, and Soto A
- Subjects
- Caribbean Region epidemiology, Data Collection, Disease Notification, Ethnicity, Geography, Humans, Latin America epidemiology, Prevalence, South America epidemiology, Ultraviolet Rays, Multiple Sclerosis epidemiology
- Abstract
A very high prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported in some Western European and North American countries. The few surveys of MS epidemiology in South America reveal lower prevalence rates, implying that susceptibility varies between distinct ethnic groups, thus forming an important determinant of the geographic distribution of the disease. The objective of this study is to review MS prevalence estimates in different Latin American and Caribbean countries. We reviewed surveys of regional MS prevalence from 1991 to 2011. Sources included an online database, authors' reports and proceedings or specific lectures from regional conferences. We obtained a total of 30 prevalence surveys from 15 countries, showing low/medium MS prevalence rates. Both the number and the quality of prevalence surveys have greatly improved in this region over recent decades. This is the first collaborative study to map the regional frequency of MS. Establishment of standardized methods and joint epidemiological studies will advance future MS research in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Published
- 2013
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