White individuals have the highest prevalence of MS, according to a study published in JAMA Neurology.
Mitchell T. Wallin, MD, MPH, and colleagues calculated the US prevalence of MS in Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non- Hispanic White individuals stratified by age, sex, and
region. The researchers identified 744,781 adults with MS (76% women). The median age group was
45-54 (31%). The lar- gest group was White individuals, comprising 77% of patients, while Black
patients, Hispanic patients, and non-Hispanic others accounted for 10%, 7%, and 4%, respectively.
The cumulated estimated 2010 prevalence of MS over 10 years was 161.2, 298.4, 374.8, and 197.7 per
100,000 individuals for Hispanic, Black, White, and non- Hispanic other racial and ethnic groups,
respectively. The women-to-men ratio was 2.9 overall during the same period. Regardless of racial and
ethnic classification, the highest prevalence of MS was seen in the group aged 45-64. “In the
United States, MS has become more prevalent and demographically diverse,” Dr. Wallin and colleagues
wrote. “These data are important for clinicians, researchers, and policy makers.”
