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Environmental risk factors of multiple sclerosis in the Middle East and North Africa region: A systematic review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: The environmental factors play a role as risk factors of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed at gathering environmental risk factors of MS in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Methods: We used MEDLINE and EMBASE databases by a systematic review method. Out of a total of 123 studies, 16 studies met the eligibility criteria.
Results: Totally, 47 risk factors were assessed as follows: six studies found sunlight exposure as a protective factor with the odds ratio (OR) ranging from 0.06 to 0.57. Six studies evaluated smoking as a risk factor with the OR ranging from 1.69 in all patients to 6.48 in female patients. Four studies supported measles infection as a risk factor with the OR ranging from 1.60 to 3.77, and in 3 studies, stressful events had a significant association with the OR of 1.80, 1.90, and 32.57.
Conclusion: Among 47 assessed risk factors, sunlight exposure, cigarette smoking, measles infection, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and stressful events had a significant association with MS.

Keywords

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Current Journal of Neurology
Volume 20, Issue 3
July 2021
Pages 166-184
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