Incidence and prevalence of pediatric onset multiple sclerosis in Kuwait: 1994-2013.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the incidence and prevalence of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) along with temporal and gender differentials in these estimates in Kuwait.


METHODS
We identified MS patients with pediatric (age <18 years) onset between 1994 and 2013 from national MS registry. Year and gender-specific incidence rate and prevalence estimates were computed. Multivariable Poisson regression analyses of time-series cross-sectional panel data were conducted to evaluate temporal and gender related variations in yearly POMS incidence rate and prevalence.


RESULTS
122 POMS patients were identified; of which 90 (73.8%) were females. During 2013, POMS incidence rate and prevalence (per 100,000) were 2.1 and 6.0 respectively. Multivariable Poisson regression model revealed statistically significant 5% increase in POMS incidence rate (p=0.002) and 6% increase in prevalence (p<0.001) from 1994 to 2013. Furthermore, during the study period, female children were more likely to have higher POMS incidence rate (relative rate=2.9; p<0.001) and prevalence (prevalence ratio=2.8; p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The temporal increase and gender disparity in POMS incidence and prevalence corroborate the findings of earlier studies conducted elsewhere. Knowledge of increasing POMS burden may help in optimal planning for better management of patients in the region.
Division of Neurology, Amiri Hospital, Arabian Gulf Street, Sharq 13041, Kuwait; Neurology Clinic, Dasman Diabetes Institute, P.O. Box 1180, Dasman 15462, Kuwait. Electronic address: alroughani@gmail.com.
R
R
Alroughani
Department of Community Medicine & Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuwait, PO Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait.
S
S
Akhtar
Department of Neurology, Ibn Sina Hospital, P.O. Box 25427, Safat 13115, Kuwait; Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Minia University, P.O. Box 61519, Minia 61111, Egypt.
S F
SF
Ahmed
Neurology Clinic, Dasman Diabetes Institute, P.O. Box 1180, Dasman 15462, Kuwait; Department of Ophthalmology, Al-Bahar Ophthalmology Center, Kuwait.
R
R
Behbehani
Department of Medicine, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, PO Box 33978, Alrawdha 7346, Kuwait.
J
J
Al-Abkal
Department of Neurology, Ibn Sina Hospital, P.O. Box 25427, Safat 13115, Kuwait; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait.
J
J
Al-Hashel
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007730:Kuwait / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010372:Pediatrics; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics
Incidence; Kuwait; Multiple sclerosis; Pediatric; Prevalence