Seasonal Variations in Multiple Sclerosis Relapses in Oman: A Single Tertiary Centre Experience

Rashid Al-Shibli, Abdullah Al-Asmi (), M. Mazharul Islam, Fatema Al Sabahi, Amira Al-Aamri, Mehwish Butt, Meetham Al-Lawati, Lubna Al-Hashmi and Jihad Al-Yahmadi
Additional contact information
Rashid Al-Shibli: College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, Oman
Abdullah Al-Asmi: Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, Oman
M. Mazharul Islam: Department of Statistics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 36, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
Fatema Al Sabahi: Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, Oman
Amira Al-Aamri: Department of Operation Management & Business Statistics, College of Economics and Political Science, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 20, Muscat 123, Oman
Mehwish Butt: Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, P.O. Box 35, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
Meetham Al-Lawati: College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, Oman
Lubna Al-Hashmi: College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, Oman
Jihad Al-Yahmadi: College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 17, Muscat 123, Oman

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 10, 1-13

Abstract: (1) Background and Aims: The seasonal factors influencing multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses remain elusive. This study aims to investigate the seasonal variation of MS relapses in Oman and compare it globally. (2) Subject and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on N = 183 Omani MS patients treated at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Muscat, Oman, over sixteen-year period (2007–2022). Demographic and clinical data of all MS patients were juxtaposed with the monthly weather data during this period, using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. (3) Results: Among the N = 183 MS patients studied, 508 relapses were recorded during the study period. The average number of relapses per patient was 2.8 (range: 1–15). There were significant seasonal variations in MS relapse rate, with the highest prevalence in the winter months of January and February. However, no correlation was found between MS relapses and other climatic parameters (humidity, temperature, and rainfall). (4) Conclusion: The seasonal patterns of MS relapses in Oman differ from other parts of the world, which the local clinicians should take into account while diagnosing and making management decisions. The potential impact of climate change on the anomalous changes in the seasonality of MS relapses warrants further investigation.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis; seasonal variation; multiple sclerosis relapses; climate change; Oman (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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