This global analysis looked at multiple sclerosis data from 1990 to 2021. It focused on women of childbearing age between 15 and 49 years old. The researchers examined rates across 204 countries to understand how the disease burden changed over time. They also looked at how these rates varied by region and economic development levels.
The study found that the incidence of multiple sclerosis in this group rose by 48 percent. Prevalence increased by 66 percent, while mortality grew by 17 percent. However, the number of disability-adjusted life years decreased by 7 percent. This suggests that while more women are getting the disease or living with it, outcomes may be improving in some ways.
The burden of the disease was highest in countries with higher development indices. Peak incidence occurred in women aged 45 to 49 in these nations. Interestingly, nations with lower development indices showed better control of the disease compared to high-development nations. The study notes that specific disease burden in this group remains under characterized. Readers should understand these are global trends and not necessarily applicable to every individual location.