Multiple sclerosis in Kenya: Demographic and clinical characteristics of a registry cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the leading cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults. There is limited literature regarding the burden of MS in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Objective

To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with MS (PwMS) presenting to a tertiary referral hospital in Nairobi.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective descriptive study for PwMS presenting to Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi from 2008-2018.

Results

99 cases met the diagnostic criteria for MS with a male to female ratio of 1:4. Majority (68.7%) of PwMS were indigenous Africans with a mean age of onset of 30.7 years. Mean duration from symptom onset to first neuro-imaging was 5.04 years. Only 33% of patients had sensory symptoms

SUBMITTER: Jamal I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8209835 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature