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Multiple Sclerosis: A Review with a Focus on the Middle East and North Africa Region

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Handbook of Medical and Health Sciences in Developing Countries

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Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), is the commonest nontraumatic disabling disease to affect young adults. The incidence of MS is increasing worldwide, along with the economic burden of the disease on healthcare systems and societies. The exact underlying cause of MS and its pathogenesis remain unclear, although complex gene-environment interactions almost certainly play a significant role. Epidemiology data indicates that vitamin D deficiency, smoking, and most significantly infection with the Epstein-Barr virus are likely to contribute to disease development. The introduction of the 2017 McDonald diagnostic criteria and improvement in diagnostic methods have allowed early diagnosis and treatment initiation. Moreover, therapies for MS have increased exponentially in number, efficacy, and risk. This is a comprehensive review that discusses MS pathogenesis, epidemiology, potential etiological factors, diagnosis, management, economic burden, challenges, and much more.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harley Street Medical Center, Neurology Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Maya Zeineddine

  2. Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon

    Amal Al-Hajje & Ghida Ismail

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  1. Maya Zeineddine
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  2. Amal Al-Hajje
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  3. Ghida Ismail
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  1. College of Pharmacy, University of Science and Technology of Fujairah, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

    Yaser Mohammed Al-Worafi

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Zeineddine, M., Al-Hajje, A., Ismail, G. (2023). Multiple Sclerosis: A Review with a Focus on the Middle East and North Africa Region. In: Al-Worafi, Y.M. (eds) Handbook of Medical and Health Sciences in Developing Countries . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74786-2_47-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74786-2_47-1

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