The Spread of Multiple Sclerosis in the USA and Europe
The Spread of Multiple Sclerosis in the USA and Europe
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that causes damage to the protective layer of nerve fibers, called myelin. MS can cause various symptoms such as vision problems, numbness, weakness, fatigue, pain, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders. MS can be classified into four types: relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and progressive relapsing MS (PRMS). The cause of MS is unknown, but it is thought to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In this article, we will explore the spread of MS in the USA and Europe, and discuss the statistics from the 70s to today, the difference in prevalence by ethnicity, sex, and social status.
Statistics from the 70s to Today
The prevalence of MS refers to the number of people living with MS at a given point in time. The prevalence of MS can be expressed as a number or a percentage of the population. The prevalence of MS can help measure the burden of the disease and the need for health care and support services.
The prevalence of MS varies widely across different regions of the world, with higher rates in temperate zones and lower rates in tropical zones. The highest prevalence estimates are found in North America and Europe (more than 100 cases per 100,000 population), while the lowest estimates are found in Eastern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa (less than 10 cases per 100,000 population).
The prevalence of MS has increased over time in both the USA and Europe since the 70s. This increase may be due to several factors such as improved diagnosis methods, increased awareness and reporting, aging population, migration patterns, environmental changes, or a true rise in disease incidence.
According to a study by Walton et al., published in 2019 in The Lancet Neurology journal, the global prevalence of MS was estimated at 2.8 million people in 2016, with a 10.4% increase since 1990. The highest prevalence estimates per 100,000 population were in high-income North America (164.6), western Europe (127.0), and Australasia (91.1), while the lowest estimates were in eastern sub-Saharan Africa (3.3), central sub-Saharan Africa (2.8), and Oceania (2.0).
According to another study by Althoff et al., published in 2019 in AIDS journal, the prevalence of MS in the USA was projected to increase from 2008000 people in 2016 to 20082322008000 people in 2025 and 20082632008000 people in 2030. The study also projected that the proportion of people with MS who are aged 65 or older will increase from 19% in 2016 to 28% in 2025 and 35% in 2030.
According to another study by Kingwell et al., published in 2020 in Multiple Sclerosis Journal, the prevalence of MS in Europe was estimated at 20080172008000 people in 2017, with a range of 6672008000– 20083762008000 people. The study also estimated that the annual incidence rate of MS in Europe was 11.5 per 100,000 population, with a range of 7.8–15.2 per 2008000 population.
These studies show that the prevalence of MS is high and rising in both the USA and Europe over time. However, there are still gaps and uncertainties in the data sources and methods used to estimate the prevalence of MS across different countries and regions.
Difference in Prevalence by Ethnicity, Sex, and Social Status
The prevalence of MS can vary by ethnicity, sex, and social status due to various factors such as genetic susceptibility, hormonal influences, environmental exposures, lifestyle behaviors, or access to health care.
Ethnicity: The prevalence of MS is generally higher among people of Northern European ancestry than among other ethnic groups. However, there is evidence that some ethnic minorities may have an increasing risk of developing MS over time due to migration or acculturation effects. For example, studies have shown that African Americans have a higher prevalence of MS than previously thought, and that Hispanic Americans have a higher prevalence of MS than people living in Latin America.
Sex: The prevalence of MS is generally higher among women than among men, with a female-to-male ratio of about 2:1 to 3:1. However, this ratio may vary by age, ethnicity, and MS type. For example, studies have shown that the female-to-male ratio is higher among younger people and lower among older people, higher among white people and lower among black people, and higher among people with RRMS and lower among people with PPMS.
Social status: The prevalence of MS may be influenced by social factors such as education, income, occupation, or urbanization. For example, studies have shown that the prevalence of MS is higher among people with higher education and income levels, lower among people with manual occupations, and higher among people living in urban areas than in rural areas. These associations may reflect the effects of socioeconomic status on environmental exposures, lifestyle behaviors, or access to health care.