Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence?
Background: Multiple sclerosis is rare in tropical areas, but quite common in developed countries. Hence, latitude has been accepted as a causal factor for prevalence of multiple sclerosis. However, developed countries have also strong economic power, which may be measured by real gross domestic pro...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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S Karger AG
2012
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39088 |
| _version_ | 1848755495565787136 |
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| author | Buchter, B. Dunkel, M. Li, Jianghong |
| author_facet | Buchter, B. Dunkel, M. Li, Jianghong |
| author_sort | Buchter, B. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Multiple sclerosis is rare in tropical areas, but quite common in developed countries. Hence, latitude has been accepted as a causal factor for prevalence of multiple sclerosis. However, developed countries have also strong economic power, which may be measured by real gross domestic product per capita. Methods: Bivariate and multivariate regression models were used to assess the association of the prevalence of multiple sclerosis of 62 countries with real gross domestic product per capita and latitude. Results: Real gross domestic product per capita and latitude are positively associated with the prevalence of multiple sclerosis. Real gross domestic product per capita is a much stronger predictor of prevalence of multiple sclerosis than latitude. Conclusion: The strong correlation between the real gross domestic product per capita and the prevalence rates of multiple sclerosis is pointing to a new direction in research on the causes of multiple sclerosis. It is plausible that certain lifestyles and consumption behaviors that require high purchasing power might be associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:57:13Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-39088 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:57:13Z |
| publishDate | 2012 |
| publisher | S Karger AG |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-390882017-09-13T16:01:01Z Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence? Buchter, B. Dunkel, M. Li, Jianghong Epidemiology Multiple sclerosis Consumption behavior Environmental risk factors Lifestyle Prevalence Background: Multiple sclerosis is rare in tropical areas, but quite common in developed countries. Hence, latitude has been accepted as a causal factor for prevalence of multiple sclerosis. However, developed countries have also strong economic power, which may be measured by real gross domestic product per capita. Methods: Bivariate and multivariate regression models were used to assess the association of the prevalence of multiple sclerosis of 62 countries with real gross domestic product per capita and latitude. Results: Real gross domestic product per capita and latitude are positively associated with the prevalence of multiple sclerosis. Real gross domestic product per capita is a much stronger predictor of prevalence of multiple sclerosis than latitude. Conclusion: The strong correlation between the real gross domestic product per capita and the prevalence rates of multiple sclerosis is pointing to a new direction in research on the causes of multiple sclerosis. It is plausible that certain lifestyles and consumption behaviors that require high purchasing power might be associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39088 10.1159/000338676 S Karger AG restricted |
| spellingShingle | Epidemiology Multiple sclerosis Consumption behavior Environmental risk factors Lifestyle Prevalence Buchter, B. Dunkel, M. Li, Jianghong Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence? |
| title | Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence? |
| title_full | Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence? |
| title_fullStr | Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence? |
| title_short | Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence? |
| title_sort | multiple sclerosis: a disease of affluence? |
| topic | Epidemiology Multiple sclerosis Consumption behavior Environmental risk factors Lifestyle Prevalence |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39088 |