RESUMO
Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a chronic disease of the nervous system, the cause of which remains unknown. Its prevalence rate has been estimated at 2.5 million individuals across the globe, and 31.5 individuals per 100,000 in Kerman province, Iran. Although different studies have reported disparate results, there are many authentic reports claiming that seasonal changes affect MS prevalence in certain months. The present study investigated the rate of MS seizures in terms of different seasons. Patients referring to the Neurology Ward of Shafa medical center, affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were examined in a 5 year period from 2007 to 2011. A specially developed form, containing demographic and background information, and results of examinations, was filled out for each and every patient. A neurology faculty member approved MS seizures or otherwise rejected irrelevant observations. Findings were analyzed through SPSS20 software. In the present study, 802 attacks of MS were detected; 187 cases in men [23.32%] and 615 cases in women [76.68%]. The mean age of the participants was 32.69 years. The highest rate of hospitalization occurred in winter and spring. This finding is mostly related to MS attacks in women, but in men the rate of attacks are equal in different seasons. During the past 5 years, 802 acute cases of multiple were registered [187 cases [23.3%] in men and 615 cases [76.68%] in women]. Most cases occurred in winter and spring, which may be due to seasonal infections or other factors triggered by certain climatic conditions specific to these periods
RESUMO
Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is the most common demyelinating disease. An autoimmune basis has been confirmed for pathogenesis of MS. Prolactin [PRL] has roles in these mechanisms. Its serum levels change in MS according to some reports. The purpose of this study was to survey these changes in MS patients. Sixty MS patients were included in this cross-sectional study. The same number of controls matched for sex and age were studied. Pregnant, lactating women, consumers of specific medications and patients with underlying diseases were excluded from our study. RIA was used for determination of serum levels of PRL. In this study, PRL level in male patients was 14.23 +/- 11.47 ng/ml compared to controls with mean level of 7.21 +/- 4.12 ng/ml [P value <0.001]. Mean PRL level in female patients was 20.18 +/- 11.04 ng/ml whereas controls had a mean level of 14.45 +/- 6.93 ng/ml [one-tailed P value <0.05]. So there were significant differences in serum PRL level between case and control groups in both men and women. PRL has a positive relation with MS in both sexes. Further studies for determination of causality relation and drug effect in endocrine system on MS pathogenesis are suggested