The Profile of Multiple Sclerosis Registry in Iranian Children: Background, Aims, Design and Preliminary Results

Background: According to previous reports, between ۲%-۵% of cases with multiple sclerosis (MS) occur before the age of ۱۶. This registry aims at providing a record for clinical and epidemiological features of MS among Iranian children in order to provide diagnostic criteria for policymakers and physicians. Methods: The study goals are being achieved during two phases; first of which was ended and the second one is underway. The first phase was performed in one year to design and finalize a pediatric MS registry software. For this reason, all variables and registration methods were determined. The second phase that has been started since ۲۰۱۶ consists of routine data registry in national phase. The project information, including all cases, epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic factors are being reported based on different geographical areas of Iran.  Results: We registered ۹۳۲ cases with MS since ۲۰۱۷, of whom ۷۴.۴% were girls.There was no significant difference in mean age between girls and boys with MS (mean difference: ۰.۷۳ years, p=۰.۱۳۳). Most of the children were diagnosed between ages ۱۵ and ۱۸ (۵۲.۴%). Conclusion: Registry for MS in children in Iran can improve the knowledge of health policy makers on incidence of MS in children throughout the country, the first and most common symptoms of MS in children , raising physicians' awareness about early diagnosis and treatment that consequently reduce  economic, psychological, and psychological burden of the disease.

کلیدواژه ها:

Multiple sclerosis ، Registry ، Children ، Epidemiology