title: Familial multiple sclerosis: does consanguinity have a role?
abstract: Parental consanguinity (PC) may be a risk factor for familial multiple sclerosis (FMS) throughout inbred communities. The objective of this report was to estimate prevalence of FMS and rate of PC among FMS versus non-FMS patients. All Saudi MS patients were identified from our registry. The history of PC was analyzed as a case-control study. In total 141 MS patients were identified. Of these, 30 (21%) reported having at least one affected relative, 37.6% reported PC and 16% presented first-degree PC. In addition, FMS patients were more likely than non-FMS patients to report PC. In conclusion, FMS is prevalent among Saudi MS patients. MS patients with a history of PC were more likely to have FMS, suggesting a potential role of consanguinity.
authors.affiliation: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, KSAU-HS, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. jumahm@ngha.med.sa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Jumah
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kojan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Khathaami
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Al Abdulkaream
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Blawi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jawhary
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003241:Consanguinity; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia