Number of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the world has continued to increase (10% over the past five years) and now reaches 2.3 million, according to a study published by the International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis. An atlas has also been put online in order to visualize the highly variable rates of prevalence of the disease in the world. MS causes deterioration of the myelin, the protective envelope of the nerves, causing various disorders ranging from chronic fatigue to vision problems or even the disruption of reflexes.
Looking at the atlas, experts noted that the disease is particularly prevalent in North America and Europe, with rates of 140 and 108 cases per 100,000 people. The number of medical specialists trained to diagnose the disease, as well as the number of MRI machines are also on the rise. The rate drops to 2.1 in sub-Saharan Africa, suggesting, according to some scientists, that “exposure to the sun could reduce the frequency of the disease”, reports the Reuters news agency.
This autoimmune neurological disease, which affects more women than men, seems to be present mainly in high latitude countries such as Sweden or Argentina, according to the data taken into account by the study of the Federation, but the link between SEP and latitude remains “a real mystery”, explains Reuters.
At the same time, research continues in the medical field: while in September the European Commission gave the green light to the marketing of the Lemtrada treatment, a study carried out in Germany and published by the journal Science Translational Medicine in June paves the way for treatment able to “trick” the immune system. Hope for the sick whose number is constantly increasing.
