Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis

Jonathan Howard; Stephen Trevick; David S Younger

doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2016.06.016

Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis

Neurol Clin. 2016 Nov;34(4):919-939. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2016.06.016. Epub 2016 Aug 18.

Authors

Jonathan Howard¹, Stephen Trevick², David S Younger³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Neuroepidemiology, Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Care Center, New York University, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: Jonathan.howard@nyumc.org.
² New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
³ Division of Neuroepidemiology, Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.

PMID: 27720001
DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2016.06.016

Abstract

The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) includes a consideration of genetic and environmental factors. Comparative studies of different populations have revealed prevalence and incidence rates that vary with geography and ethnicity. With a prevalence ranging from 2 per 100,000 in Japan to greater than 100 per 100,000 in Northern Europe and North America, the burden of MS is similarly unevenly influenced by longevity and comorbid disorders. Well-powered genome-wide association studies have investigated the genetic substrate of MS, providing insight into autoimmune mechanisms involved in the etiopathogenesis of MS and elucidating possible avenues of biological treatment.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; Neuroepidemiology; Public health.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis
Multiple Sclerosis / epidemiology*
Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
Multiple Sclerosis / therapy