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dc.contributor.authorBuchter, B.
dc.contributor.authorDunkel, M.
dc.contributor.authorLi, Jianghong
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T14:30:15Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T14:30:15Z
dc.date.created2012-10-30T20:00:24Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.identifier.citationBuchter, Bernhard and Dunkel, Margrit and Li, Jianghong. 2012. Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence? Neuroepidemiology. 39 (1): pp. 51-56.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/39088
dc.identifier.doi10.1159/000338676
dc.description.abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis is rare in tropical areas, but quite common in developed countries. Hence, latitude has been accepted as a causal factor for prevalence of multiple sclerosis. However, developed countries have also strong economic power, which may be measured by real gross domestic product per capita. Methods: Bivariate and multivariate regression models were used to assess the association of the prevalence of multiple sclerosis of 62 countries with real gross domestic product per capita and latitude. Results: Real gross domestic product per capita and latitude are positively associated with the prevalence of multiple sclerosis. Real gross domestic product per capita is a much stronger predictor of prevalence of multiple sclerosis than latitude. Conclusion: The strong correlation between the real gross domestic product per capita and the prevalence rates of multiple sclerosis is pointing to a new direction in research on the causes of multiple sclerosis. It is plausible that certain lifestyles and consumption behaviors that require high purchasing power might be associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis.

dc.publisherS Karger AG
dc.subjectEpidemiology
dc.subjectMultiple sclerosis
dc.subjectConsumption behavior
dc.subjectEnvironmental risk factors
dc.subjectLifestyle
dc.subjectPrevalence
dc.titleMultiple Sclerosis: A Disease of Affluence?
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume39
dcterms.source.startPage51
dcterms.source.endPage56
dcterms.source.issn0251-5350
dcterms.source.titleNeuroepidemiology
curtin.department
curtin.accessStatusFulltext not available


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