Early MRI Findings in Emirati MS Patients

Multiple Sclerosis in the Emirati Population: Onset Disease Characterization by MR Imaging

A study on Emirati multiple sclerosis (MS) patients reveals a heavy MRI lesion load at disease onset, primarily affecting younger individuals (average age 26). Female cases dominate with a 2:1 ratio. About 50% of patients showed lesions in all four critical zones: periventricular, juxta-cortical, infra-tentorial, and cervical spinal cord.

Findings underscore potential cumulative disease progression before clinical symptoms and suggest environmental factors like Vitamin D deficiency and Western lifestyle adoption as contributors. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to managing disease impact and disability progression.