Incidence Of Multiple Sclerosis Research Articles

Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in rural and urban districts in Telemark county, Norway

ObjectiveTo explore the trends in prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Telemark, Norway (latitude 58.7-60.3˚N), over the past two decades, with focus on differences between rural and urban areas. MethodsData from all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MS in Telemark since 1993 were prospectively recorded and collected in a retrospective chart review. Prevalence estimates on January 1st 1999, 2009 and 2019, and incidence rates at five-year intervals between 1999 and 2018 were calculated and all results were adjusted to the European Standard Population. The study population was divided into urban and rural residency using a Norwegian governmental index. ResultsWe registered 579 patients with MS in Telemark between 1999 and 2019. The adjusted prevalence estimates for January 1st 1999, 2009 and 2019 were 105.8/105, 177.1/105 and 260.6/105, respectively. In 2019, the prevalence estimates were 250.4/105 in urban and 316.2 /105 in rural areas. Between 1999 and 2018, the yearly incidence increased from 8.4/105 to 14.4/105. ConclusionsThe prevalence of MS in Telemark is among the highest ever reported in Norway, consistent with an increasing incidence in the county over the past twenty years. The even higher prevalence in the rural areas is unlikely to be explained by possible risk factors like latitude, exposure to sunlight and diet. Further studies on differences between urban and rural areas are required to reveal possible new risk factors.

Age and sex-adjusted incidence and yearly prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Mazandaran province, Iran: An 11-years study.

IntroductionThe incidence rate of MS is a valuable indicator of the recent changes in the risk of this disease, and it is widely implicated for health planning purposes.ObjectivesThis study aims to determine the MS incidence over the past eleven years in Mazandaran province and to compare it with the other parts of Iran and the world.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study is conducted in Mazandaran province by using registered data in the files of the patients with their consent. The yearly crude incidence rates, age, and sex-specific incidence rates and directly standardized incidence rates of this population are calculated, and the temporal changes in the incidence rates are analyzed.Results662 (26%) male patients with the mean (SD) age of 32.6 (9.48) and 1884 (74%) female patients with the mean (SD) age of 31.9 (9.15) are studied. The direct standardized incidence rate of MS was 3.28 in 100.000 in 2008 and reached 4.17 in 100.000 in 2018, and this increase was significant (p<0.05). Also, the yearly prevalence of MS increased from 24.4 to 72.5 in this period.ConclusionsThe MS incidence has increased in Mazandaran. The potential role of some genetic or environmental factors needs further investigation.

Non-infectious comorbidity in patients with multiple sclerosis: A national cohort study in Sweden.

BackgroundComorbidity is of significant concern in multiple sclerosis (MS). Few population-based studies have reported conditions occurring in MS after diagnosis, especially in contemporary cohorts.ObjectiveTo explore incident comorbidity, mortality and hospitalizations in MS, stratified by age and sex.MethodsIn a Swedish population-based cohort study 6602 incident MS patients (aged ≥18 years) and 61,828 matched MS-free individuals were identified between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2016, using national registers. Incidence rates (IRs) and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CI were calculated for each outcome.ResultsIRs of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were higher among MS patients than MS-free individuals, (major adverse CVD: IRR 1.42; 95% CI 1.12–1.82; hemorrhagic/ischemic stroke: 1.46; 1.05–2.02; transient ischemic attack: 1.65; 1.09–2.50; heart failure: 1.55; 1.15–2.10); venous thromboembolism: 1.42; 1.14–1.77). MS patients also had higher risks of several non-CVDs such as autoimmune conditions (IRR 3.83; 3.01–4.87), bowel dysfunction (2.16; 1.86–2.50), depression (2.38; 2.11–2.68), and fractures (1.32; 1.19–1.47), as well as being hospitalized and to suffer from CVD-related deaths ((1.91; 1.00–3.65), particularly in females (3.57; 1.58–8.06)).ConclusionMS-patients experience a notable comorbidity burden which emphasizes the need for integrated disease management in order to improve patient care and long-term outcomes of MS.

Hospital diagnosed pneumonia before age 20 years and multiple sclerosis risk

IntroductionRespiratory inflammation has been proposed as a risk factor for MS. This study aims to determine if hospital-diagnosed pneumonia in adolescence (before age 20 years) is associated with subsequent multiple...

Mortality trend for multiple sclerosis in Italy during the period 1980–2015

BackgroundThe epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is relevant for health-services planning. Most of MS prevalence and incidence studies in Italy referred to specific geographical areas and periods, whereas mortality data are routinely collected at the national level. The aim was to assess MS mortality trend and geographical differences in Italy from 1980 to 2015. MethodsMortality data were provided by the Italian Institute of Statistics. Due to a low number of annual deaths, mortality data were analysed for both the entire period under study and for sub-periods. Temporal trends were first evaluated using age-adjusted mortality rates (AMRs) comparing each sub-period with the initial one. Then, the annual percent change in mortality was estimated through the joinpoint regression model. Spatial differences between 5 main geographical areas were evaluated using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). ResultsDuring the study period, 4,959 deaths for males and 7,434 for females were observed. The higher overall AMR was observed for females (F:0.71 vs. M: 0.56 per 100,000 persons per year). Analysing mortality by gender and geographical area, SMRs 〈 100 were observed in South Italy for both sexes, and in Central Italy for males only, whereas SMRs 〉 100 for Islands for both sexes, and in North-East and North-West for females only. The analysis of the mortality trend through AMRs calculated for sub-periods revealed no difference between the first and the last period for males, whereas a significant increase in mortality was observed for females. The joinpoint regression analysis showed a significant decrease in mortality up to 1995 for males (APC -3.23%) and up to 1999 for females, (APC -1.01%), followed by a significant increase for both sexes, but more marked for females (APC +1.9% M, +2.34% F). ConclusionThe increasing trend of mortality for MS, especially for females, may reflect the increase in the prevalence of MS and the improvement in the quality of diagnosis or coding of the cause of death.

Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

To analyze the frequency and demographic characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Council of Santiago de Compostela (SPAIN). The patients diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald 2010 diagnostic criteria were identified within the population of the District of Santiago de Compostela. Several sources were used (records and databases from Hospital, General Practitioners, Private Clinics, and the MS Patients Association). Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the electronic files. The incidence of MS between 2010 and 2015 was 8/100000/year (95% CI: 6-10), and the prevalence on December 31, 2015, was 152/100000 (95% CI: 127-176). The age-standardized prevalence (using the European Standard Population 2013) was 137 (95% CI: 114-159) and the incidence of 7 (95% CI: 2-12). The female:male ratio was 1.84, the mean age at the first symptom was 32.23years, the diagnosis was delayed 3.12years, and the mean EDSS was 2.82. 71.17% had relapsing-remitting MS, 16.55% secondary progressive MS, 7.59% primary progressive MS, and 0.69% progressive relapsing MS. A disease-modifying treatment was established in 62.76% of patients in a mean of 1.96years after the diagnosis. The northwest of Spain is a high-risk area for MS, with frequencies similar to other Atlantic regions and higher than the rest of the country.

Prevalence and Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Russian Federation: 30 Years of Studies.

In the Russian Federation, multiple sclerosis prevalence rates vary from 10 to 80 cases per 100,000, depending on region and the nationality of the population. The main characteristics of multiple sclerosis epidemiology in the XX century in this big territory are: (1) steady increase in multiple sclerosis prevalence and incidence rates, maybe because of better diagnosis and treatment, but also changes in environmental/epigenetic risk profile and/or lifestyle factors; (2) increase of the female to male ratio, increase in multiple sclerosis incidence mainly in females; (3) appearance and increasing frequency of multiple sclerosis in ethnic groups, previously free of multiple sclerosis (Northern Tribes, Yakuts and others). The latest data show that in European Russia, the multiple sclerosis prevalence varies from 30 to 80 cases, in Siberia—from 20 to 70 cases, with steady increases, especially in women.

Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis: Is Multiple Sclerosis on the Rise?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a worldwide disease with an uneven geographic distribution. There has been a sharp increase in MS prevalence over time almost throughout the world, including Japan. The reasons for the increase in the prevalence of MS are unknown. However, evidence suggests that genetic and environmental factors and their interaction contribute to the etiology of MS. Therefore, the increase in prevalence can be attributed in part to a greater exposure to certain environmental risk factors in genetically susceptible individuals and also to increased survival rates and improved assessment. To clarify whether the increase in MS prevalence reflects a real increase in disease frequency, it is essential to assess temporal and geographical differences in MS incidence and to compair incidence in different ethnic populations. However, epidemiological data on incidence are limited, and there are marked geographical disparities in available data, most of which were obtained from studies in Europe and North America. In addition, there are marked variabilities in methodology, objectives, and study periods. Further epidemiological studies with appropriate standardization are needed to determine whether the risk of MS has changed over time.

PRO42 ASSESSING GLOBAL PEDIATRIC MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS EPIDEMIOLOGY: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is debilitating immune disease leading to demyelination, neurodegeneration, and chronic inflammation of the central nervous system. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of global incidence and prevalence of pediatric MS. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in EMBASE and MEDLINE. The population of interest were individuals (<19 years of age) diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Studies must have reported population-based MS incidence or prevalence estimates and/or population-based MS incidence or prevalence estimates among individuals with any specific comorbid disease. The DerSimonian and Laird’s random effects model was used to combine epidemiological estimates across studies due to anticipated heterogeneity. A total of 2902 abstracts was screened and a total of 22 studies were included. Of the 22 studies 20 were included in the meta-analysis. Two studies conducted in the same population had newer publications, thereby were excluded due to shorter follow-up time. Epidemiology estimates were available for countries in Europe (n=8), the Middle East (n=6), Asia (n=2), and North America (n=4). Of the 21 studies, 15 reported incidence and 9 reported prevalence. Pooled incidence was calculated to be 0.84 (95% CI: 0.40-1.28) per 100,000 individuals annually and prevalence was 8.91 (95% CI: 2.57-15.25) per 100,000 people. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis conducted to provide an overview of international pediatric MS epidemiology. Incidence estimates was similar across countries; however, prevalence was found to be more variable.

Role of long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) in multiple sclerosis: a brief review.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) as chronic autoimmune inflammatory neurological disease of the central nervous system (CNS) occurs due to several environmental and genetic factors, whose pathogenesis is associated with genes with regulatory role in the immune system. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are able to reportedly regulate responses of immune systems and expression of genes, and show the tissue specificity and complexity of biofunctions. Various studies have suggested that the aberrant LncRNA expression is an underlying factor involved in the incidence of MS and that the analysis of the expression profile of these molecules can be a specific biomarker of MS for preventing the course of the disease or responding to treatment. The purpose of this research was to review the recent studies for exploring the functions of LncRNAs in the processes leading to MS disease.

Microbiome in Multiple Sclerosis; Where Are We, What We Know and Do Not Know.

An increase of multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence has been reported during the last decade, and this may be connected to environmental factors. This review article aims to encapsulate the current advances targeting the study of the gut–brain axis, which mediates the communication between the central nervous system and the gut microbiome. Clinical data arising from many research studies, which have assessed the effects of administered disease-modifying treatments in MS patients to the gut microbiome, are also recapitulated.

RAGE p.82G&gt;S Polymorphism Is Not Associated with the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis in Iranian Population

Background and Aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as a partially inheritable inflammatory autoimmune disease which involves the nervous system. Different studies suggest that immune dysregulation has an important role in the pathogenesis of MS, but its exact pathomechanism has not yet been explicated. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell surface molecules. In MS patients, the expression of membrane-bound RAGE on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as well as the serum levels of the RAGE ligands are upregulated. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, we evaluated the association between MS incidence and RAGE p.82G&gt;S polymorphism (rs2070600) compared with healthy controls in an Iranian population. A total of 158 patients and 156 healthy blood donors were enrolled. This polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Allele frequencies (p=0.319) and genotype distribution (p=0.315) of the RAGE p.82G&gt;S gene polymorphism in MS patients and controls were not significantly different. Conclusions: The present study indicated no relationship between RAGE p.82G&gt;S polymorphism and the risk of MS in Iranian population.

Risk of Mortality in Immigrants with Multiple Sclerosis in Ontario, Canada

Introduction: Little is known about how mortality in multiple sclerosis (MS) may differ based on sociodemographic factors, such as immigrant status. We compared mortality in immigrants versus long-term residents with MS in Ontario, Canada. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we applied a validated algorithm to linked, population-based immigration and health administrative data to identify incident MS cases in Ontario between 1994 and 2014. We identified date of death, if it occurred. We used a Cox model adjusting for age, sex, income, and comorbidity, to compare survival in immigrants versus long-term residents. Results: There were 23,603 incident MS cases of whom 1,410 (6.0%) were immigrants. After adjusting for covariates, risk of death was higher in immigrants in the first year after diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.66; 95% CI 1.05–2.63, p = 0.031). However, in years 1–5 (HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.40–0.98, p = 0.041) and 5–10 (HR 0.42; 95% CI 0.24–0.75, p = 0.003) after diagnosis, risk of death was lower in immigrants. Older age at onset and comorbidity were associated with higher mortality; female sex and higher socioeconomic status were associated with lower mortality. Conclusions: In this large population with universal access to health care, immigrants with MS had higher mortality compared to long-term residents in the first year after onset and lower mortality thereafter. Lower mortality in immigrants to Canada is well described and thought to be due to the healthy immigrant effect. Higher mortality in the first year after MS onset warrants further investigation as some early deaths may be preventable.

Feasibility of Using a Nationally Representative Telephone Survey to Monitor Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence in the United States

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic neurologic disease of young adults, placing a heavy burden on patients, families, and the healthcare system. Ongoing surveillance of the incidence and prevalence of MS is critical for health policy and research, but feasible options are limited in the United States and many other countries. We investigated the feasibility of monitoring the prevalence of MS using a large national telephone survey of the adult US population. Methods: We developed questions to estimate the lifetime prevalence and age of onset of MS using the US-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and piloted these questions in 4 states (MN, RI, MD, and TX). There was a total of 45,198 respondents aged 18 years and above. Analyses investigated individual state and combined prevalence estimates along with health-related comorbidities and limitations. MS prevalence estimates from the BRFSS were compared to estimates from multi-source administrative claims and traditional population-based methods. Results: The estimated lifetime prevalence of self-reported MS (per 100,000 adults) was 682 (95% CI 528–836); 384 (95% CI 239–529) among males and 957 (95% CI 694–1,220) among females. Estimates were consistent across the 4 states but much higher than recently published estimates using population-based administrative claims data. This was observed for both national results and for MS prevalence estimates from other studies within specific states (MN, RI, and TX). Prevalence estimates for Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic respondents were 824, 741, and 349 per 100,000 respectively. Age and sex distributions were consistent with prior epidemiologic reports. Comorbidity and functional limitations were more pronounced among female than male respondents. Conclusions: While yielding higher overall MS prevalence estimates compared to recent studies, this large-scale self-report telephone method yielded relative prevalence estimates (e.g., prevalence patterns of MS by sex, age, and race-ethnicity) that were generally comparable to other surveillance approaches. With certain caveats, population-based telephone surveys may eventually offer the ability to investigate novel disease correlates and are relatively feasible, and affordable. Further work is needed to create a valid question set and methodology for case ascertainment before this approach could be adopted to accurately estimate MS prevalence.

Epidemiological characteristics of multiple sclerosis in Volyn region: a prospective study

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common non-traumatic cause of central nervous system disorders in young people worldwide, leading to cognitive and physical disability. About 20,000 of adult Ukrainians suffer from MS. Prospective studies, taking into account the prevalence and incidence, combined with environmental, territorial and urbanization factors can optimize medical care for patients with MS. A prospective study of MS within Volyn Polissia and Opillya zones has not been conducted before. Objective: To evaluate prospectively the prevalence and morbidity rates of MS among the adult population of Volyn region within the physical-geographical zones. Materials and methods: Epidemiological and medical-statistical methods of morbidity study were used to study features of MS prevalence in the Volyn region. The standard descriptive statistics and factor analysis (principal component method) were used to estimate the variation of a set of indicators. Factor analysis included incidence and prevalence rates of MS in Volyn region since 1999. Results: A statistically significant difference in MS prevalence at the significance level p &lt;0.05 was found in the MS prevalence in 2014 and at the p = 0.005 level in the 2015–2017 section. Also, a statistically significant difference in the incidence of MS at a significance level of p &lt;0.1 was detected in the incidence of MS in 2015 and at the level of p = 0.001 in 2013. Thus, comparing the prevalence and incidence rates, we can conclude that the prevalence of MS in the Volyn Opillya region is significantly higher than in the Volyn Polissia area. Factor analysis (principal component method) was conducted to identify latent factors. As a result, it was found that the 3-factor model allows to describe more than 88% of the variation of the set of indicators: the 1st (main) factor describes 69%, the 2nd - 12,6%, the 3rd - 6,6% (together 88,2%). Conclusions: The prevalence and incidence rates of MS in the Volyn Oblast were found to be uneven. The prevalence of MS in the Volyn Polissia area is lower than in the Volyn Opillia region. The developed 3-factor model allows to describe more than 88% of the variation of the population prevalence of MS. In our opinion, it is advisable to consider the incidence and prevalence rates of MS comprehensively, taking into account environmental, territorial, urban and, not excluded, industrial indicators.

Incidence and Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in the Sultanate of Oman: A Hospital Based Study

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is changing globally. In this study, we aim to estimate the incidence and prevalence of MS in Oman over the period from 2006-2019. This is a retrospective observational hospital-based study. Omani patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are fWe recruited MS patients from the two major referral Neurology centres in Oman viz. Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Khoula Hospital for this observational study. All Omani adult patients who were diagnosed with MS based on the revised McDonald criteria over the period from January 2006 to May 2019 were included. The total population of Oman as of June 2019 was obtained from the national census data. We retrieved the following data from the electronic case records: age at disease onset, gender and the year of diagnosis. Based on the national census data, the total Omani population was 2,652,199 (as of June 2019). Four hundred and twenty-two (422) patients were diagnosed with MS during the study period. The estimated crude prevalence was 15.9 per 100000, with a female to male ratio of 2.2:1 and with the initial MS symptoms occurring at a mean age of 27.3 years (S.D: 7.7 years; range: 9-59 years). Eighty three percent of the patients had the disease onset between the age of 19-40 years and 9% had the initial manifestation at less than 19 years of age. The annual incidence had increased from 1.00 case per 100000 in 2015 to 1.37 cases per 100000 in 2018. MS prevalence in Omani population has increased from 4 per 100000 in 2000 (based on the previously published hospital-based study from Oman) to 15.9 per 100000 in the current study. Oman should be considered as medium risk zone for MS. It is to be noted that the MS prevalence in Oman is the lowest among the Arabian Gulf countries. The increase in MS annual incidence rate in Oman is similar to what has been observed globally. Further studies are needed to assess the specific risks for MS in our population.

Dramatic changes in multiple sclerosis prevalence in Iran: A descriptive study in ten regions of Iran

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) differs between different regions of Iran. This study aimed to investigate changes in prevalence and incidence rates of MS in ten ethnic and cultural zones of Iran set by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Materials and Methods: Information on MS incidence and prevalence was obtained from the national registry of MS during the study period 2006–2013. Demographic data were acquired from the Statistical Centre of Iran. Results: A rising trend of MS prevalence was observed in Iran, and overall, the prevalence of MS increased by 3.67% per year. The highest prevalence rates of MS, and the most dramatic increase in MS prevalence, occurred in the central areas of Iran. However, during the 7-year period, the prevalence gradually increased also in southern and western areas. Conclusion: The prevalence and incidence of MS have been rapidly increasing in all regions of Iran, especially from central to western and southern regions.

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the city of Ourense, Galicia, in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, which mainly affects young people of working and reproductive age, and represents the first cause of non-traumatic disability in this age group of the population. A north-south latitude gradient is recognised, with prevalence rates increasing as we move away from the equator. This gradient probably represents the genetic predisposition transmitted from the Scandinavian regions through the Viking invasions and could presuppose an influence of the vitamin D deficit related to a lower number of hours of sunshine per year. To determine the prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in the city of Ourense, Galicia. The latitude coordinate of the city of Ourense is 42° 34' N. A retrospective epidemiological study covering the period from 2002 to 2016 was conducted. The prevalence date was 31 December 2016. According to the latest census, the population of the city of Ourense was 105,892 on 1 January 2016. Altogether, 195 cases were recorded, representing a prevalence of 184.1 cases/100,000 inhabitants. In the period 2002-2016, 127 cases of multiple sclerosis were diagnosed, representing an average incidence of 7.86 cases/100,000 inhabitants/year. The city of Ourense has the highest prevalence rate of multiple sclerosis of those studied to date in the Iberian Peninsula, with a figure that brings it closer to the data reported in more northern areas under Nordic and Anglo-American influence.

Epidemiology of MS in Tehran Province, Iran: A Population- Based Study

There is a significant increase of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Asia, special in Iran. Familial recurrence studies in MS are useful to identify the correlated effects in etiology of the disease. This is a cross-sectional study based on Iranian MS Society data from 1999 to 2018 with the aim of estimating incidence, prevalence and assessing associations among most important variables related to familial MS (gender, age at disease onset, types of MS and familial history). Multiple regressions were used to indicate the predictors of MS via SPSS. Among 21580 MS subjects, the crude incidence and prevalence rate was 6.93 and 151.3 per 100000 populations in 2018 respectively. Completely 16187 (75%) were female and female to male ratio was 3:1.Mean age at disease onset was 28.82 years old, 9.7% of the population had early onset MS (<=18 years old). Female gender was a strong significant predictor for onset age (p<0.001). 749 (14.4%) of male patients and 2066 (13.1%) of female patients had a history of familial MS which was significantly different between them, p value=0.017, (OR=1.11; 95% CI=1.02, 1.22). Crude odds ratio for familial recurrence of MS in first degree of relatives was significantly different among genders (OR=1.30; 95% CI=1.12, 1.5). The age standardized prevalence rate of MS was estimated 54.1 (95%CI: 53.6-54.6) among males and 174.5 (95%CI: 173.6-175.4) per 100,000 among females. Totally, 75.7% were relapsing remitting MS, 16.4% were primary progressive MS and 7.9% were secondary progressive MS. MS incidence and prevalence in Tehran has increased with a decreased female to male ratio. Despite the higher prevalence of MS amongst females, the familial recurrence was higher among males except in first degree of relatives.

Prevalence and Incidence Rates of Multiple Sclerosis in Lebanon

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been assessed in many countries of the Middle East mostly in Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lybia, Tunisia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. The prevalence of MS in Lebanon however, is still unknown mainly due to lack of national registries. Based on the Kurtzke classification, Lebanon is located in a low-risk zone for MS. To determine the incidence and prevalence of MS in Lebanon based on a 2018 population census. Lebanese patients diagnosed with MS between January 2018 and December 2018 were identified using the database of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Lebanese Army, Cooperative of Government Employees (COOP), Internal Security Forces, and Lebanese General Security based on the reimbursement of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) by these governmental third-party payers. Nearly all patients with MS in Lebanon receive their therapies through one of these governmental institutions. The crude, age- and sex-specific 2018 prevalence and incidence rates among Lebanese patients were calculated. 2248 MS patients were identified of whom 1454 (67.1%) were females and 712 (32.9%) males (female: male ratio 2:1) with a mean age of 41.8 ± 12.96 years. The 2018 prevalence rate of MS was 62.91 cases per 100,000 persons (95% CI: 60.41 - 65.41). The pediatric prevalence of MS was 2.23 per 100,000 (95% CI: 1.41- 3.05). There was a peak in prevalence rate among patients aged 35-44 years. The overall incidence rate of MS in Lebanon was 8.36 cases per 100,000 (95% CI: 7.45 – 9.27), representing 324 newly diagnosed patients in 2018. The mean age at onset of MS was 34.5 ± 12.5 years. This is the first study to assess the prevalence and incidence rates of MS in Lebanon, confirming that Lebanon is a moderate to high-risk area for MS. Those high rates are commensurate with the recently published studies from the Middle East, pointing to a significant rise in the incidence and prevalence of this disease in our region.