Multiple Sclerosis in Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region: Challenges, Achievements and Opportunities

The Middle East North Africa (MENA) region falls in the low-to-moderate multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence zone, However, there is clearly a trend toward increased MS prevalence over the last few decades, consistent with the globally rising prevalence of the disease. Countries of the MENA region differ widely in economic privileges, health care systems, research expenditures which impact MS management in this important area in the world. In this review, we analyzed all data collected from MENA region during last decade (2011-2021) regarding prevalence of MS, clinical phenotypes, diagnostic challenges, registered DMTs in each country, direct and indirect MS costs, number of specialized MS centers and experts, number of publications on MS. Prevalence during the last decade is showing rates in the range of 30–84/100,000. Most MENA countries have access at least to first-line injectables except for glatiramer acetate, newer DMTs are either not registered or not fully reimbursed by governments in most of the countries, number of specialized MS centers and specialists are still lagging behind the national needs in the majority of MENA countries. While there are positive signs that the landscape is improving for people with MS in MENA region, MS continues to represent a serious burden for people with MS and the community in terms of both economic impact and Quality of Life, improving early diagnosis and affordable access to effective treatments to slow or prevent disability accumulation is likely to have a substantial impact on the economic costs and quality of life of people with MS.