The Middle East has risen to a moderate-to-high prevalence category for cases of multiple sclerosis, up from low-to-moderate, in the span of a few decades.
Doctors said the number of cases per 10,000 people continues to climb across the region, particularly among women under the age of 40.
On World MS Day, held annually on May 30, healthcare professionals said this was in line with a global trend of rising cases.
The incurable neurological disorder, which affects the brain and spinal cord, is degenerative and can lead to loss of sensation or movement. This is caused by the immune system attacking the protective layer that covers nerve fibres (the myelin sheath), preventing brain signals from properly reaching the body.
MS is known to affect up to four times more women than men and, while it is not genetic, people related to someone with the condition are more likely to develop it.
Dr Roberto Bolano, consultant neurologist at Fakeeh University Hospital in the UAE, said prevalence across the Middle East had risen considerably over the past few decades.
“This puts an additional burden on the Middle Eastern countries and the patients, as the cost of managing MS is high, with timely care and diagnosis being of utmost importance,” he said.
Symptoms can include loss of sensation, slurred speech, fatigue, dizziness and tingling or pain in parts of the body. The condition can also affect vision.
There is no cure but some medications can help control symptoms, commonly referred to as attacks. However, medication and treatments are costly and can add up to tens of thousands of dollars every year.
“[The] latest research data shows MS is on the rise, especially in Middle East women. The prevalence is rising even globally, and thus in the Middle East too,” Dr Bolano said.
He attributed this rise to early detection and diagnoses, as well as lifestyle. Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency, which is common across much of the Gulf, can increase the chances of developing MS.
Other reasons for the rise in cases, Dr Bolano said, were reduced physical activity, smoking, and higher levels of stress. Longer survival of patients due to medical advancements may also contribute to a recorded increased prevalence, studies said.
“Spreading awareness about the onset of the condition and its symptoms — and encouraging people to get screened earlier — can help in reducing the incidence in the region,” Dr Bolano said.
Roughly 2.8m people are currently living with MS worldwide, said the third Atlas of MS report released by the MS International Federation, which works with the World Health Organisation, in September 2020. This is up from 2.3m global cases in 2013.
The report showed that a much larger number of children and young people under 18 were living with MS than was previously known. It also confirmed the disparity between the prevalence among women and men.
The highest rates found in the Middle East are in Israel, where 151 people in 10,000 have MS. Kuwait reported the second-highest rates with 105 cases in 10,000 people.
Doctors said this could also be due to increased testing and improvements in testing accuracy.
As of 2020, seven in 10,000 people — or 684 people — were reported to have MS in the UAE, with the average age of diagnosis being 28.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
|
1.
|
United States
|
|
2.
|
China
|
|
3.
|
UAE
|
|
4.
|
Japan
|
|
5
|
Norway
|
|
6.
|
Canada
|
|
7.
|
Singapore
|
|
8.
|
Australia
|
|
9.
|
Saudi Arabia
|
|
10.
|
South Korea
|
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More coverage from the Future Forum
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Tips%20for%20travelling%20while%20needing%20dialysis
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
RESULT
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen: Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Janine di Giovanni
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Results
International 4, United States 1
Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods (US) beat Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann (International) 4 and 3.
Adam Hadwin and Sungjae Im (International) beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (US) 2 up.
Adam Scott and Byeong Hun An (International) beat Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau (US) 2 and 1.
Hideki Matsuyama and C.T. Pan (International) beat Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed (US) 1 up.
Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen (International) beat Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland (US) 4 and 3.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
How to donate
Text the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
6025 - Dh 20
2252 - Dh 50
2208 - Dh 100
6020 - Dh 200
*numbers work for both Etisalat and du
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
