Burden of Multiple Sclerosis in Eastern Mediterranean Region (1990-2016): Findings From the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is among the leading causes of disability in Young Adults worldwide. Current estimates of MS burden in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) are necessary for planning effective interventions. To estimate Prevalence, incidence, mortality, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in EMR by country age, and sex from 1990 to 2016. Methods: We estimated regional and country-specific prevalence, incidence, mortality, DALYs, YLLs, and YLDs for MS. DALYs were computed as the sum of YLDs and YLLs. Results: Total DALYs in EMR countries was 12,810 in 1990 for males and increased to 36,391 in 2016 and from 18,962 to 53,851 for females. Lowest DALYs in both sexes were observed in Somalia (248) while the highest were in Iran (26,394). YLDs in males increased from 6,511 in 1990 to 19,515 in 2016, and in females from 12,247 to 33,937. The highest age-standardized prevalence, incidence, YLDs and DALYs were in Iran (72.11, 2.49, 18.03, and 32.5, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings provide valuable information to guide the development and implementation of measures to address the rising burden of MS and it consequences in the EMR countries.