There is a dearth of epidemiological data about multiple sclerosis (MS) and related demyelinating disorders in India. In this study, a registry method was used for collecting data from secure sources and the index cases were verified Seventy nine patients were identified . A crude prevalence of 8.3/100,000 was obtained for MS and 6.2/100,000 for clinically-isolated syndrome (CIS). Age-standardized prevalence of MS relative to the world population was 7.8/100,000. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and spectrum disorders (NMOS) constituted 13.9% of all demyelinating disorders, with a prevalence of 2.6/100,000. Larger studies with more refined survey methodologies are required to understand the true prevalence of demyelinating disorders in India.
Keywords: Clinically isolated syndrome; India; demyelinating disorders; epidemiology; multiple sclerosis; neuromyelitis optica; prevalence; registry.
© The Author(s) 2014.