The higher prevalence of multiple sclerosis among Iranian Georgians; new clues to the role of genetic factors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with varied prevalence rates among populations with different ethnic backgrounds. Therefore, studies done on minorities have shed more light on the risk factors. OBJECTIVE: Comparing MS prevalence in Georgian-based population immigrated to Iran and other Iranians. METHODS: All records of MS patients enrolled in the two biggest registry systems were investigated. All of the patients born in Fereydunshahr and Buin va Miandasht (2 biggest cities with Georgian immigrants) were interviewed and their baseline characteristics were obtained. Patients' ethnic background information were obtained from the Iran National organization for civil registration. RESULTS: Forty-one patients from Fereydunshahr and Buin va Miandasht were identified. The population of the two cities combined and the estimated number of Georgian-based patients in both cities were reported 59817 and 12000, respectively. The estimated ethnicity-adjusted prevalence among the Georgian-based individuals was 2.3 times higher than the non-Georgian ones. Baseline characteristics were also compared. CONCLUSION: There was a higher prevalence of multiple sclerosis among the Georgian minority of Isfahan. Due to the ethnic background of the Georgian minority, genetic risk factors should be considered more as a risk factor.