Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in iran: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
Parviz Karimi, Zahra Nourollahi, Milad Azami
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis updated estimates of multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence and incidence in Iran. It included 56 articles comprising 142 individual studies. Across 139 studies, pooled prevalence was 33.7 per 100,000 population (95%CI: 30.9-39.0); across 80 studies, pooled incidence was 4.2/ 100,000 (95%CI: 2.7-6.6). Estimates were higher in women than men for both measures. Meta-regression found statistically significant upward trends in prevalence and incidence over time (P < 0.001).
Key findings
- Pooled MS prevalence was 33.7 per 100,000 population (95%CI: 30.9-39.0), based on 139 studies.
- Prevalence was 23.8/ 100,000 (95%CI: 21.0-27.0) in men and 76.0/ 100,000 (95%CI: 67.5-85.5) in women.
- Pooled incidence was 4.2/ 100,000 (95%CI: 2.7-6.6), based on 80 studies; incidence was 2.2/ 100,000 in men and 6.7/100,000 in women.
- Meta-regression indicated upward trends in both prevalence and incidence over time (P < 0.001).
Why it matters
These pooled estimates describe the reported burden of MS in Iran and show that both prevalence and incidence have risen over time. The sex differences and temporal trends can inform population-level surveillance and help frame investigation of context-specific risk factors. Because the estimates combine multiple studies, they summarize evidence across settings rather than describing an individual patient's risk.
What to keep in mind
The estimates pool results from multiple studies; the abstract does not report study-level heterogeneity or explain how differences in methods and populations may affect the pooled estimates.