INCIDENCE OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN THE KARABAKH REGION OF THE AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC

R.R. ALIYEV

Department of Neurology, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan

Objective: To determine the incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Methods: The study analyzed data from patients admitted to the Neurological Center of the Republican Clinical Hospital named after Academician M. Mirgasimov in Baku, Azerbaijan, between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. The sample included individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of MS based on established clinical criteria. Data were recorded in an electronic registry. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The Pearson χ² test was used to evaluate annual differences in incidence between groups. For continuous variables, the Student's t-test was used for normally distributed data, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was used for non-normally distributed data. Incidence rates per 100,000 population were calculated using direct standardization to the WHO and European standard populations, adjusting for the national age-sex structure.

Results: During the study period, 250 individuals sought medical attention at the Neurological Center. Twenty-six individuals were excluded, and a diagnosis of MS was confirmed in 224 cases. Among these, 178 were newly diagnosed: 117 in the Karabakh and 61 in the East Zangezur economic regions, respectively. In both regions, MS incidence among men showed no statistically significant trend; however, in the Karabakh region, annual differences were significant (p<0.001). Additionally, the cumulative incidence rate of MS was significantly higher in the East Zangezur economic region (2.05 per 100,000) compared to the Karabakh region (1.39 per 100,000; p<0.05)

Conclusion: Over the 10-year study period, the average annual incidence of MS was 1.58 cases per 100,000 population. This rate is higher than that observed in the southern region of Azerbaijan but significantly lower than rates reported in Europe. Notable gender differences were identified, with an incidence of 2.14 per 100,000 for women compared to 1.01 per 100,000 for men. Furthermore, evident regional variations underscore the need to optimize diagnostic and treatment strategies that account for these geographic specifics.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, incidence, gender, Karabakh, Azerbaijan.

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