Article 04: MS in the Canaries

Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in the Canary Islands (Spain)

A study on the island of La Palma by Miguel Angel Hernández Service of Neurology, Hospital Ntra. Sra. de Candelaria, C/Rosario s/n, 38010 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. mhernandezp@meditex.es

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) on the Island of La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. Methods: A population-based transverse study was carried out on the Island of La Palma (population: 81,507), from 1995 to 1998. The 15 December 1998 was established as prevalence day.

Sources of information were periodically obtained from case records from public primary care centres, private hospitals, private centres, magnetic resonance units and others.

In accordance with the Poser criteria all cases of definite or probable MS were included. Results: 34 cases of MS were found on prevalence day (9 male and 25 female): 32 cases were clinically definite and 2 were clinically probable MS. Crude prevalence was 42/100,000. Incidence during time of study was 2.25/100,000.

Conclusions:

The island of La Palma could be considered as an area of medium-high risk, the risk being higher than that expected because of the geographical latitude of the island. This study confirms the hypothesis of the high prevalence of MS in Spain. We have not found significant clinical differences in MS patients from those in other studies.

Letter to Ashton Embry

Hi Ashton

I don't believe this. Everywhere I go MS seems to follow.

Could the high incidence of the condition on this island that is situated close to the equator and off the North Coast of Africa be anything to do with the high levels of year-round UK tourists and the obvious changes in the islands traditional diet? I daresay the incidence of the condition in Morrocco which is on the same latitude will be a bit different.

Speak soon.

Andrew

PS I found an Internet Cafe in Tenerife and did consider posting a message but it wasn't wheelchair-accessible and with my limited knowledge of Spanish I couldn't figure out how to complain about equal rights.

Andrew,

I trust you had a great holiday. I too was surprised MS prevalence was so high in the Canaries. It sounds like it would be a good place for a case-control study. I would have thought that the population would be eating mainly fish and getting lots of sun.

Have a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. I am hopeful that 2003 will be a banner year for nutritional research for MS.

Ashton