title: Multiple sclerosis in South Africa.
abstract: Since there are no well-documented epidemiological studies on multiple sclerosis (MS) in South Africa, we devised a questionnaire to determine qualitative data. Responses were obtained from 430 patients: 91% had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, 64% had lumbar punctures and 49% had evoked potentials to establish the diagnosis of MS. A total of 71% of the respondents were aged 30 - 59 years, 73% were female, and 89% were white. In terms of MS type, 46% had relapsing-remitting MS, 13% secondary progressive MS, 12% primary progressive MS, 12% benign MS, and 17% not known. Disease-modifying treatment was not used by 32% of respondents, and 30% were treated with methotrexate and 22% with interferon beta. These findings are similar to those in the literature, except for the under-utilisation of interferons as disease-modifying treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. gmodicns@mweb.co.za
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mochan
authors.forename: Madelein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: du Toit
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*