| dc.description.abstract | Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the Central Nervous System, with no known cause or cure. It is a progressive degenerative disease and it affects people all around the world. It is one of the most common disabling neurological conditions of young adults, affecting almost twice as many women as men. It has been diagnosed more frequently since 1970s.
World epidemiological and genetic surveys indicate that MS is caused by an interplay between genetic traits and environmental influences. To date, no known environmental agent has been identified. Estimates of total number of cases in Ireland are in the region of 4000 to 6500, suggesting a prevalence rate of 100–162/100,000, however, there is no reliable national database of people with MS.
This study was designed to examine the environmental milieu of people with MS, via a questionnaire distributed with MS News to over 5,000 MS News subscribers. The 671 responses received were analysed under various headings including gender (F:M = 2.2:1); average age at diagnosis (36.8 years), relatives with MS (over 22%), type and location of house (40% single story) and school (65% single storey).
Based on comparison with the study of Donegal and Wexford by McGuigan et al (2004), an estimated prevalence rate of 164.25/100,000 has been calculated for the whole country.
Radon levels (RPII data) and Interferon prescribing patterns were also examined. The study observed clustering of MS cases in areas that are known to have high Radon emissions and a sparser distribution of cases in low Radon emitting areas, and therefore, concludes that the potential to develop MS is greater if exposed to high Radon levels in childhood, especially for males, and that the rise in incidence since the 1970s has coincided with greater exposure to indoor Radon. | en |
