Risk Factors of Multiple Sclerosis in Aseer Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To investigate socio-demographic and environmental risk factors of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Aseer region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods: This was a retrospective, record, and interview based matched case control study completed in the neurology clinics at tertiary hospitals in Aseer, KSA. It included 82 MS cases and 82 controls. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect information on key socio-demographic and environmental exposures. The main outcome measure was a statistically significant relationship of key socio-demographic and environmental risk factors with MS.

Results: A total of 82 registered patients, 50 were females, resulting in a female to male ratio of 1.56:1. Various risk factors were found to have a statistically significant association with MS which included female (OR=3.01, 95% CI [1.59:5.69]; <0.001), family history of MS (OR=2.1, 95%CI [2.4:1.7] =0.04), low exposure to sunlight (OR=2.02, 95%CI [2.53: 9.9] <0.001), only fed breast milk in childhood (OR=0.46, 95%CI [0.55:0.39]; <0.001), parental consanguinity (OR=2.17 95%CI [4.11:1.14] =0.017), history of chickenpox (OR=15.59 95% CI [68.7:3.55]; <0.01). On using multiple logistic regression, chicken pox infection (AOR=0.045, 95%CI [0.015-0.135]; =0.001)and low sun-exposure (AOR=.271, 95%CI [.121-.609]; <0.05) were deduced as the predictors of MS in this region.

Conclusion: This study offers unique insights into the risk factors of MS. Low sun exposure and childhood chickenpox are significantly related to the development of MS in the Aseer region.