1
|
Albarraq RH, Alhujaili NA, Alshehri ZI, Alqarni AM, Bawareth RM. Anticipated Stigma among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia. SAUDI JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & MEDICAL SCIENCES 2024; 12:54-59. [PMID: 38362097 PMCID: PMC10866384 DOI: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_21_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Background Social stigma is a major problem among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), which can affect their quality of life. There is limited research from Saudi Arabia on the anticipated stigma among patients with MS. Objectives To determine the levels of anticipated stigma and its predictors in patients with MS in Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study included adult patients with MS across Saudi Arabia. Sociodemographic and medical information, including age, gender, marital status, educational level, duration of disease, number of MS episodes in the past 12 months, previous diagnosis of mental illness, and performing activities of daily living without assistance, were collected. Anticipated stigma was measured using an Arabic version of the Chronic Illness Anticipated Stigma Scale. Results A total of 222 patients with MS were included. Moderate to severe anticipated stigma was found among 70.4% of the patients. The highest anticipated stigma mean score was from work colleagues (2.96/5). Predictors of stigma were age (P = 0.049), gender (P = 0.016), marital status (P = 0.015), education level (P = 0.003), number of MS episodes in the previous year (P < 0.001), and previous diagnosis of a mental disorder (P = 0.001). Conclusions The findings of this study indicate the need for developing programs that reduce the anticipated stigma among patients with MS in Saudi Arabia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Naseem Abdulmohi Alhujaili
- Department of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mokhtari S, Houshi S, Mirmosayyeb O, Barzegar M, Afshari-Safavi A, Ghasemi M, Shaygannejad V. Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Familial and Sporadic Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Int J Prev Med 2023; 14:86. [PMID: 37854985 PMCID: PMC10580190 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_187_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. It is still unestablished whether heredity correlates with the disease's progression and severity. Methods This study includes the patients with MS seen in the MS clinic of Kashani Hospital, affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, from January 2019 to January 2020. We gathered data regarding the demographic and clinical characteristics, such as type of disease and family history of MS. Patients were grouped based on having relatives with MS. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics between those with a family history of MS (familial MS: FMS) and those without a family history of MS (sporadic MS: SMS). Results We included 2,929 MS patients, 523 (17.2%) with FMS and 2,406 (82.8%) with SMS. Patients with FMS were found to have active lesions in the thoracic spine more frequently than those with SMS (P = 0.022). We also found differences in the distribution of gender (P = 0.036) and the frequency of having active brain lesions (P = .024) among patients with FMS and SMS. No difference was found between the demographic/clinical characteristics and the number of affected relatives in the family. Conclusions Significant differences were found among different groups of patients in terms of demographical and clinical characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Mokhtari
- School of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shakiba Houshi
- School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Omid Mirmosayyeb
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahdi Barzegar
- School of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Alireza Afshari-Safavi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Majid Ghasemi
- School of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Vahid Shaygannejad
- School of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Craner M, Al Malik Y, Babtain FA, Alshamrani F, Alkhawajah MM, Alfugham N, Al-Yafeai RH, Aljarallah S, Makkawi S, Qureshi S, Ziehn M, Wahba H. Unmet Needs and Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: Focus on the Role of Ofatumumab. Neurol Ther 2022; 11:1457-1473. [PMID: 36048334 PMCID: PMC9434517 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-022-00401-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment-pattern data suggest that some patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) may not be receiving optimal treatment. A virtual meeting of ten expert Saudi neurologists, held on October 23, 2020, discussed unmet needs in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and the role of ofatumumab as a suitable treatment in the KSA. Multiple unmet needs were identified: poor quality of life, with high rates of depression and anxiety; a negative impact of MS on work ability; treatment choices that may compromise efficacy for safety or vice versa; inconvenient or complex dosage regimens; and limited access to patient education and support. Early use of highly effective disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) results in better patient outcomes than starting with less effective treatments and downstream escalation, but this strategy may be underutilized in the KSA. B cells are important in MS pathogenesis, and treatments targeting these may improve clinical outcomes. Ofatumumab differs from other B cell-depleting therapies, being a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to CD20 at a completely separate site from the epitope bound by ocrelizumab, and being administered by subcutaneous injection. When compared with teriflunomide in two randomized, phase 3 clinical trials in patients with RRMS, ofatumumab was associated with significant reductions in annualized relapse rates, rates of confirmed disability worsening, and active lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. The incidence of adverse events, including serious infections, was similar with the two treatments. Ofatumumab is a valuable first- or second-line treatment option for RRMS in the KSA, particularly for patients who would benefit from highly effective DMTs early in the disease course, and for those who prefer the convenience of self-injection. Future research will clarify the position of ofatumumab in RRMS treatment, and comparative cost data may support the broad inclusion of ofatumumab in formularies across the KSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Craner
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Neurosciences Department, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yaser Al Malik
- grid.412149.b0000 0004 0608 0662College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ,grid.452607.20000 0004 0580 0891King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ,grid.415254.30000 0004 1790 7311Division of Neurology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawzi A. Babtain
- grid.415310.20000 0001 2191 4301King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Foziah Alshamrani
- grid.411975.f0000 0004 0607 035XDepartment of Neurology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona M. Alkhawajah
- grid.415310.20000 0001 2191 4301King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nora Alfugham
- grid.415310.20000 0001 2191 4301King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Salman Aljarallah
- grid.56302.320000 0004 1773 5396College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seraj Makkawi
- grid.412149.b0000 0004 0608 0662College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ,grid.452607.20000 0004 0580 0891King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ,Department of Medicine, Ministry of the National Guard-Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Marina Ziehn
- grid.419481.10000 0001 1515 9979Global Medical Affairs, Novartis AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hazem Wahba
- Medical Affairs/Real World Evidence, Novartis, Saudi Arabia ,Novartis Saudi Ltd., SERVCORP Laysen Valley, Building No. 13, Intersection King Khalid and Orouba Road, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Alsaedi EQ, Alsaedi MQ, Mansuri FA. Clinical Profile and the Extent of Disability in Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2022; 14:e25851. [PMID: 35832757 PMCID: PMC9272901 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The objective is to study the demographics and clinical characteristics of Saudi multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, and assess their extent of disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Methods: This hospital-based study intended to address the population of all MS-diagnosed patients registered between 2018 and 2021 in the Neurology Department of King Fahad Hospital in the Madinah region. Data were gathered from medical records and by interviewing participants in the Neurology Clinic. The chi-square test and linear and logistic regression were applied to draw inferences. Results: A total of 195 MS-diagnosed patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 72.3% were female. The mean age of the total sample was 34.9±9.2 years, and 7.7% reported a positive family history. Of all patients, 17.9% (n=35) had comorbidities. The mean age at diagnosis was 29.3±8.2 years. The majority (85.6%) were diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS); 77.9% had an EDSS score between 0.0 and 1.5, showing little or no disability. A statistical significance existed between EDSS and the current age of the patients (p=0.004), age at onset (p=0.007), type of MS (p=0.000), presence of muscle weakness (p=0.044), bladder or bowel difficulties at onset (p=0.043), and the duration of MS (p=0.000). Of the patients, 23.6% were not using disease-modifying therapy (DMT). The most commonly used drug was interferon beta 1-b. Conclusion: A lower EDSS was associated with younger age, diagnosis at a younger age, RRMS, duration less than five years, and lower body mass index (BMI). To increase the generalizability of findings, a national MS registry system and further prospective analytical epidemiological research studies are recommended.
Collapse
|
5
|
Salehi Z, Almasi-Hashiani A, Sahraian MA, Ashtari F, Baghbanian SM, Razazian N, Moghadasi AN, Bayati A, Azimi AR, Beladimoghadam N, Harirchian MH, Poursadeghfard M, Navardi S, Shirkoohi R, Heidari H, Ghaffari M, Eskandarieh S. Epidemiology of familial multiple sclerosis in Iran: a national registry-based study. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:76. [PMID: 35248009 PMCID: PMC8897924 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02609-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Admittedly, little is known about the epidemiological signatures of familial multiple sclerosis (FMS) in different geographical regions of Iran. Objective To determine the epidemiology and the risk of FMS incidence in several provinces of Iran with a different ethnic population including, Fars, Tehran, Isfahan (Persians), and Mazandaran (Mazanis), Kermanshah (Kurds), and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (Lors). Methods This cross-sectional registry-based study was performed on nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI) data collected from 2018 to 2021. This system, registers baseline characteristics, clinical presentations and symptoms, diagnostic and treatments at regional and national levels. Results A total of 9200 patients including, 7003 (76.1%) female and 2197 (23.9%) male, were participated. About 19% of patients reported a family history of MS; the order from highest to lowest FMS prevalence was as follows: Fars (26.5%), Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (21.1%), Tehran (20.5%), Isfahan (20.3%), Mazandaran (18.0%), and Kermanshah (12.5%). Of all FMS cases, 74.7% (1308 cases) were female and 25.3% (442 cases) were male. FMS occurrence was much more common in females than males (P-value = 0.001). Further, the mean age at onset was 30 years among FMS cases. A substantially higher probability of relapsing-remitting MS and secondary-progressive MS was found among FMS cases than sporadic MS (SMS) (P_value = 0.001). There was no significant difference in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores between FMS and SMS. The majority of FMS cases were observed among first-degree relatives, with the highest rate in siblings. There was a significant association between MS risk and positive familial history in both maternal and paternal aunt/uncle (P_value = 0.043 and P_value = 0.019, respectively). Multiple sclerosis occurrence among offspring of females was higher than males (P_value = 0.027). Conclusions In summary, our findings imply a noteworthy upward trend of FMS in Iran, even more than the global prevalence, which suggests a unique Atlas of FMS prevalence in this multi-ethnic population. Despite the highest rate of FMS within Persian and Lor ethnicities, no statistically significant difference was observed among the provinces.
Collapse
|
6
|
Prevalence of Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia. Mult Scler Int 2021; 2021:4226141. [PMID: 34796030 PMCID: PMC8595009 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4226141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) appears to be increasing worldwide. However, data on the pediatric onset of MS is lacking, particularly in developing countries. Objective This study is aimed at reporting the current burden of the pediatric onset of MS in the five regions of Saudi Arabia. Methods This study used relevant data from the National Saudi MS Registry that was operational between 2015 and 2018. The data on patients with pediatric onset MS from all the hospitals included in the registry was retrospectively analyzed using the age of diagnosis. Patients who were 1-18 years old when diagnosed were included in the analysis. Results The registry included 287 patients with pediatric onset MS, with a mean age of diagnosis at 15.7 (SD: 2.06). 74.2% of the participants were females. For the included hospitals, the estimated prevalence of pediatric MS was at 2.73/100,000 pediatric Saudi population. The prevalence of pediatric MS in the remaining nonparticipant hospitals was then projected taking into account both the size of pediatric population in the Kingdom per region and the number of facilities treating and managing MS in each of the corresponding regions. The overall projected prevalence was found to be 14.33/100,000 Saudi pediatric population. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study reported the latest epidemiological data of pediatric onset of MS in Saudi Arabia. The current prevalence of MS among the pediatric Saudi population was found to be 2.73/100,000, and the overall projected prevalence was estimated at 14.33/100,000. Our findings were similar to those in other pediatric MS cohorts. Further studies are needed to understand the long-term prognosis, response to treatment, and disease course.
Collapse
|
7
|
Ehtesham N, Rafie MZ, Mosallaei M. The global prevalence of familial multiple sclerosis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:246. [PMID: 34182943 PMCID: PMC8237453 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02267-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considering that many recent studies have reported the prevalence of familial multiple sclerosis (FMS), we performed an updated meta-analysis of the worldwide prevalence of FMS by the addition of recent publications. METHODS A search in PubMed, Scopus, the ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar was undertaken up to 20 December 2020. The inclusion criteria were based on the CoCoPop approach (condition, context, and population). Meta-analysis of the qualified studies was conducted by comprehensive meta-analysis ver. 2 software. RESULTS The pooled prevalence of MS in relatives of 16,179 FMS cases was estimated to be 11.8% (95% CI: 10.7-13) based on a random-effects model. The pooled mean age of disease onset in adult probands was calculated to be 28.7 years (95% CI: 27.2 ± 30.2). Regarding 13 studies that reported the data of FMS in pediatrics (n = 877) and adults (n = 6636), the FMS prevalence in pediatrics and adults was 15.5% (95% CI: 13.8-17.4) and 10.8% (95% CI: 8.1-14.2), respectively. The prevalence of FMS in affected males (n = 5243) and females (n = 11,503) was calculated to be 13.7% (95% CI: 10.1-18.2) and 15.4% (95% CI: 10.3-22.4), respectively. The odds ratio of male/female in FMS cases was not statistically significant (OR = 0.9; 95% CI: 0.6-1.2, P = 0.55). Subgroup analysis demonstrated a significant difference in the prevalence of FMS between the geographical areas (P = 0.007). The meta-regression model indicated that the prevalence of FMS is lower with higher latitude and higher MS prevalence (P < 0.001). In contrast, meta-regression based on prevalence day was not statistically significant (P = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of FMS is higher in the pediatric group than that of adults, distinct between geographical areas, and diminishes with the increment of MS prevalence and latitude. Also, the symptoms initiate relatively at younger ages in the FMS cases. Interestingly, our analysis unveiled that FMS is not more prevalent in men than women and the risk of MS development in relatives is not higher when the affected proband is male.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naeim Ehtesham
- Student Research Committee, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Koodakyar Alley, Daneshjoo Blvd., Evin St, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Maryam Zare Rafie
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Meysam Mosallaei
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|