Key result
Childhood chickenpox and low sun exposure were significantly associated with the development of multiple sclerosis in the Aseer region, with chickenpox showing an odds ratio of 15.59.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to investigate socio-demographic and environmental risk factors of multiple sclerosis in the Aseer region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Case-Control (n=164)
Yes
Odds Ratio: 15.59 (95% CI 3.55–68.7)
Absolute Event Rate: 28% vs 2.4%
p-value: p=<0.01
Low sun exposure and childhood chickenpox are significantly associated with the development of multiple sclerosis in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia.
Objectives: To investigate socio-demographic and environmental risk factors of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Aseer region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: This was a retrospective, record, and interview based matched case control study completed in the neurology clinics at tertiary hospitals in Aseer, KSA. It included 82 MS cases and 82 controls. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect information on key socio-demographic and environmental exposures. The main outcome measure was a statistically significant relationship of key socio-demographic and environmental risk factors with MS. Results: A total of 82 registered patients, 50 were females, resulting in a female to male ratio of 1.56:1. Various risk factors were found to have a statistically significant association with MS which included female (OR=3.01, 95% CI [1.59:5.69]; p<0.001), family history of MS (OR=2.1, 95%CI [2.4:1.7] p=0.04), low exposure to sunlight (OR=2.02, 95%CI [2.53: 9.9] p<0.001), only fed breast milk in childhood (OR=0.46, 95%CI [0.55:0.39]; p<0.001), parental consanguinity (OR=2.17 95%CI [4.11:1.14] p=0.017), history of chickenpox (OR=15.59 95% CI [68.7:3.55]; p<0.01). On using multiple logistic regression, chicken pox infection (AOR=0.045, 95%CI [0.015-0.135]; p=0.001)and low sun-exposure (AOR=.271, 95%CI [.121-.609]; p<0.05) were deduced as the predictors of MS in this region. Conclusion: This study offers unique insights into the risk factors of MS. Low sun exposure and childhood chickenpox are significantly related to the development of MS in the Aseer region.
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Siddiqui et al. (2021) conducted a case-control in Multiple sclerosis (n=164). Childhood chickenpox and low sun exposure vs. No exposure was evaluated on Association of childhood chickenpox with multiple sclerosis (OR 15.59, 95% CI 3.55-68.7, p=<0.01). Childhood chickenpox and low sun exposure were significantly associated with the development of multiple sclerosis in the Aseer region, with chickenpox showing an odds ratio of 15.59.
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