Multiple sclerosis prevalence in Ireland: relationship to vitamin D status and HLA genotype.
Authors
Lonergan, RKinsella, K
Fitzpatrick, P
Brady, J
Murray, B
Dunne, C
Hagan, R
Duggan, M
Jordan, S
McKenna, M
Hutchinson, M
Tubridy, N
Affiliation
Department of Neurology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4,, Ireland. roisin.lonergan@st-vincents.ieIssue Date
2012-02-01T10:28:59ZMeSH
AdultAged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Genotype
Geography
HLA Antigens/*genetics
HLA-DR Antigens/genetics
HLA-DRB1 Chains
Humans
Ireland/epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis/*epidemiology/etiology/genetics
Parathyroid Hormone/blood
Prevalence
Vitamin D/*blood
Vitamin D Deficiency/complications
Vitamins/*blood
Young Adult
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2011 Mar;82(3):317-22. Epub 2011 Jan 19.Journal
Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatryDOI
10.1136/jnnp.2010.220988PubMed ID
21248317Abstract
BACKGROUND: The relationship between prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and latitude may be due to both genetic and environmental factors. The hypothesis that, in Ireland, MS prevalence is increasing and that north-south differences relate to variation in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels was tested in this study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients and matched control subjects were identified in counties Donegal, Wexford and South Dublin through multiple sources. Prevalence was determined. Blood samples were taken for serum 25(OH)D and serum intact parathyroid hormone measurement, and DNA was extracted. RESULTS: Prevalence in 2007 was significantly greater in Donegal (northwest) (290.3/105, 95% CI 262.3 to 321.7) compared with 2001 (184.6/105; 162 to 209.5). In Wexford (southeast), there was a non-significant increase in prevalence in 2007 compared with 2001. Prevalence was significantly higher in Donegal than in Wexford (144.8/105; 126.7 to 167.8, p<0.0001) and South Dublin (127.8/105; 111.3 to 148.2, p<0.0001). Overall, mean 25(OH)D levels were low and did not differ between patients (38.6 nmol/l) and controls (36.4 nmol/l) However, significantly more patients than controls had 25(OH)D levels <25 nmol/l (deficiency) (p=0.004). Levels of 25(OH)D (mean 50.74 nmol/l) were significantly higher in South Dublin (area with lowest prevalence) (p<0.0001) than in Donegal or Wexford. HLA DRB1*15 occurred most frequently in Donegal (greatest MS prevalence) and least frequently in South Dublin. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common in Ireland. Latitudinal variation in MS probably relates to an interaction between genetic factors and environment (25(OH)D levels), and MS risk may be modified by vitamin D in genetically susceptible individuals.Language
engISSN
1468-330X (Electronic)0022-3050 (Linking)
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1136/jnnp.2010.220988