Re: Study Finds - arguable

[Guest guest]

The study indicates, " Given that the geoclimatic conditions are the

same for all groups " . I might argue that and say the " geoclimatic

conditions " are unique in the ancestory(evolutionary genetics)of each

group. Hasn't it been known that those closest to the equator have

less MS. It would make sense that they have evolved to be less

susceptible to MS and/or vice versa. It would make sense that those

originating from Europe would have a higher incidence than those from

Africa.

> Study Finds Different Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence According to Ethnic

> Group in Israel

> ANA:

> By Marvin Ross

>

> TORONTO, ON -- October 5, 2004 -- An evaluation of multiple sclerosis

> (MS) rates amongst Israel's various ethnic groups suggests that

> lifestyle is an important risk factor for the development of this

> disease.

>

> The findings were presented here October 4th by Milton Alter, MD, PhD,

> Department of Neurology, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia,

> Pennsylvania, at the American Neurological Association 129th Annual

> Meeting.

>

> Dr. Alter said that Israel is a perfect population laboratory because

> the country has well equipped hospitals, medical care is available to

> all residents at a low cost, there is detailed census data available,

> there has been a national MS registry since 1950, and the MS research

> group obtains data from all hospitals in the country.

>

> An evaluation of age adjusted MS prevalence per 100,000 population on

> December 31, 2000 found significant differences among the various groups

> in the country.

>

> The highest rates of MS were found in both Israeli born and

> European/American Jews at 56.7 and 54.8 per 100,000 population,

> respectively. Arab Christians had a rate of 39.4 but Jews of African or

> Middle Eastern birth had a rate of only 26.1/100,000. The groups with

> the

> lowest rates were Arab Moslems (13.1), Druze (8.9) and Bedouins (9.0).

>

> Given that the geoclimatic conditions are the same for all groups, the

> conclusion that the authors came to was that lifestyle factors may be

> the reason for the difference in rates, particularly given the

> difference between Israeli and western Jews versus Jews from the Middle

> East, and the

> differences between Christian Arabs and others.

>

> " Western lifestyle may account for this difference, " the study authors

> concluded, and suggested that the age at which childhood infections are

> acquired may be a factor to the development of MS. They propose that

> differences among the various ethnic groups may help identify the

> environmental factor or factors that influence MS risk.

>

> This study was supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

>

>

> [Presentation title: " Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence in Israeli Ethnic

> Groups: Evidence That Lifestyle Influences Risk. " Abstract 77]

>

> http://tinyurl.com/3q2ta

>

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256F2400654C7F?O\

penDocument & id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249 & c=Multiple%20Sclerosis & count=10

[Guest guest]

I wonder if they took into account where there ancestors migrated from?

For other personal reasons I have had to scrutinize many studies- and

so many things can be made to 'prove' a theory. Not saying this is

the case here, but saying it is possible.

> That is true. When I was first diagnosed (27 years ago), i did

reseach the old

> fashioned way. I found that the highest incidence of people who had

MS were

> from Scotland, and from there, their ish relatives. My

grandmother was a

> from Scotland. My latest reseach (on the Internet) still

says that

> the most MS patients are in Scotland.

>

> VCL