Incidence of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis in Iran in 2023 (PP-26)

Background and purpose:
 
Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) refers to the onset of the disease before the age of 18, accounting for approximately 5% of all Multiple Sclerosis cases. The global incidence of POMS has been reported to range from 0.05 to 2.85 per 100,000 individuals, with most studies indicating a rate of less than 1 per 100,000. The female-to-male ratio for those over the age of 12 is 2.8. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of POMS in Iran in 2023.

Materials and methods:
 
This cross-sectional study utilized the registered data of MS patients recorded by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 2023 (1402 solar year). The variables documented included the patient's age at diagnosis, gender, and province of residence. Ultimately, the age incidence rate was calculated per 100,000 individuals from the total population (not limited to those under 18).

Results:

In 2023, among 218 diagnosed patients, 157 (72%) were girls and 61 (28%) were boys. The average age of patients at diagnosis was 16±1.9 years. Eleven individuals (5%) were under 12 years old, while 207 (95%) were aged 13 to 18 years. The highest frequency was observed in Tehran (14.2%), Isfahan (7.8%), Alborz (7.8%), and Khorasan Razavi (7.3%). Relative to the population, the highest incidence rates were observed in Alborz province (0.62 per 100,000 population), Qom (0.46 per 100,000), Kurdistan (0.43 per 100,000), and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari (0.42 per 100,000).
 
Conclusion:

The results of this study show that the incidence of multiple sclerosis and its gender distribution in children under 18 years of age in Iran in 2023 align with global patterns. Also, the geographical distribution of the disease in different provinces can be used as a basis for policies and health programs aimed at the management and treatment of this condition in children.