Contributions
Abstract: 50
Type: Oral
Latin America (LATAM) consists of a vast territory extending in latitude from 32°N to 56°S comprising marked heterogeneity regarding altitude, climate, sun exposure, ethnicity and economic development. Although MS has been historically considered as a low-prevalence disease in LATAM, its recognition has increased greatly over the last years in this region. Thus, recent epidemiological studies show large variability in the prevalence of the disease among different countries of this region. During the last two decades the incidence and prevalence of MS are increasing in LATAM similarly to what has been observed in the rest of the world. Although certain latitudinal gradient in the prevalence of MS seems to exist in LATAM, several exceptions to this rule have been shown suggesting the relevance of other genetic and environmental factors contributing to the epidemiology of MS. One of the main distinctive features of this region is the admixture of Native Americans, Africans and Caucasians resulting in a complex genetic composition of the population in different countries of LATAM with the subsequent differences in regional MS prevalence (higher in countries with higher proportion of Caucasians' descendants and lower in countries with higher proportion of Native Americans). Other distinctive factors include the exposure to infections, such as parasites, which could determine the lower risk of MS in this region (“hygiene hypothesis”). On the same direction, familiar MS seems to be less frequent in LATAM compared to other regions with high prevalence of MS.
Despite the differences observed regarding the prevalence and incidence of MS, the phenotypic characteristics of MS in LATAM are similar to those reported in other regions. The gender ratio seems to have increased during the past years, although this increase is lower that what has been shown in the northern hemisphere.
Although MS awareness has greatly increased in LATAM during the past years, assessing demographic and phenotypic characteristics of MS patients in the region remains challenging. Among other factors, this is due mostly to the lower prevalence of the disease and consequently under-powered studies, as well as to the lower economic development of the region with the subsequent limitations in the accessibility to specialized MS centres.
Disclosure: Laura Negrotto has received travel stipends from Biogen Idec.
Abstract: 50
Type: Oral
Latin America (LATAM) consists of a vast territory extending in latitude from 32°N to 56°S comprising marked heterogeneity regarding altitude, climate, sun exposure, ethnicity and economic development. Although MS has been historically considered as a low-prevalence disease in LATAM, its recognition has increased greatly over the last years in this region. Thus, recent epidemiological studies show large variability in the prevalence of the disease among different countries of this region. During the last two decades the incidence and prevalence of MS are increasing in LATAM similarly to what has been observed in the rest of the world. Although certain latitudinal gradient in the prevalence of MS seems to exist in LATAM, several exceptions to this rule have been shown suggesting the relevance of other genetic and environmental factors contributing to the epidemiology of MS. One of the main distinctive features of this region is the admixture of Native Americans, Africans and Caucasians resulting in a complex genetic composition of the population in different countries of LATAM with the subsequent differences in regional MS prevalence (higher in countries with higher proportion of Caucasians' descendants and lower in countries with higher proportion of Native Americans). Other distinctive factors include the exposure to infections, such as parasites, which could determine the lower risk of MS in this region (“hygiene hypothesis”). On the same direction, familiar MS seems to be less frequent in LATAM compared to other regions with high prevalence of MS.
Despite the differences observed regarding the prevalence and incidence of MS, the phenotypic characteristics of MS in LATAM are similar to those reported in other regions. The gender ratio seems to have increased during the past years, although this increase is lower that what has been shown in the northern hemisphere.
Although MS awareness has greatly increased in LATAM during the past years, assessing demographic and phenotypic characteristics of MS patients in the region remains challenging. Among other factors, this is due mostly to the lower prevalence of the disease and consequently under-powered studies, as well as to the lower economic development of the region with the subsequent limitations in the accessibility to specialized MS centres.
Disclosure: Laura Negrotto has received travel stipends from Biogen Idec.