Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Abstract

The island of La Palma could be considered as an area of medium-high risk, the risk being higher than that expected because of the geographical latitude of the island. This study confirms the hypothesis of the high prevalence of MS in Spain. We have not found significant clinical differences in MS patients from those in other studies.

Increasing Incidence and Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Puerto Rico (2013–2016)

“…Prevalence estimates in this region ranges from a low of 0.75/100,000 in Guayaquil, Ecuador [32] to a high of 38.2/100,000 in Buenos Aires, Argentina [18]. The estimated prevalence of MS in PR resembles prevalence estimates since 2001 from Spain and Portugal [33] ranging from 41.7/100,000 [34] to 78.7/100,000 [35]. The similarity of our MS prevalence rates when compared to those of Spain and Portugal provides additional support for the possible influence of European ancestry on the upward trend of MS estimates for PR.…”

Prevalence and Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain

“…These results, along with those from the island of La Palma [22] (2.25 and 42), define this archipelago as an area of moderate to high risk. In the La Palma survey [22], however, the rates were notably lower than ours.…”

“…These results, along with those from the island of La Palma [22] (2.25 and 42), define this archipelago as an area of moderate to high risk. In the La Palma survey [22], however, the rates were notably lower than ours. No environmental or genetic factor seems to account for these differences since geography, economy, culture and costumes are essentially the same, perhaps with the exception of a rather rural versus urban lifestyle.…”

“…Other studies on HLA and MS have not been conducted in other Canary Islands. Both the composition and structure of the population studied in both surveys (La Palma Island and Las Palmas city) were similar and remained stable [22,25]; age-adjusting our prevalence rate to La Palma population as a denominator would give an expected rate of 68.8 per 100,000. So, although genetic differences between the two islands cannot be ruled out, the more plausible explanation for these differences would be related to methodology, and perhaps to a lower degree of sanitary development in that 'minor' island compared to our selected district around a university hospital.…”

“…Both studies were performed in a short time period (1 year) and evaluated mainly hospitalized patients [20,21]. A more recent survey conducted in La Palma Island (81,507 inhabitants), using multiple case-ascertainment sources, yielded a higher rate (42 cases/100,000 inhabitants), still lower than that in the Iberian peninsula [22].…”