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Frequencies of MS have been consistently higher at higher latitudes, including in Australia where the frequencies in Hobart, TAS are 2-7-fold higher than similar sites in mainland Australia. This latitudinal gradient has been one of the strongest indirect pieces of evidence for the role of sun exposure and vitamin D in the development of MS.
However, Dr Steve Simpson-Yap and his team recently found that the frequencies of MS in Hobart, while continuing to increase over time, are reducing in magnitude compared to studies done at similar times in Newcastle, NSW, from roughly two-fold to now almost equivalency. The reasons for these changes and to what extent this reduction in the latitudinal gradient may be nationwide are unknown.
Dr Simpson-Yap and his team proposed a multicentre study to measure the prevalence (number of existing cases) and incidence (number of new cases) of MS in three sites in mainland Australia at different latitudes – Geelong, VIC (latitude 38.1), Newcastle, NSW (latitude 32.5), and Townsville, QLD (latitude 19.3), and to compare these frequencies to Hobart (latitude 42.9). In addition, he compared the prevalence and incidence estimates from Newcastle with previous measures in 1961-2011, while those from Townsville and Geelong will be the first descriptions of MS epidemiology at those locations.
This study provides a comprehensive survey of the epidemiology of MS across the latitudinal range of Australia. It will inform whether a further study of modifiable lifestyle factors is required – like sun exposure and supplement use.
In this study, Dr Simpson-Yap and his team found that the prevalence of MS is high in Australia regardless of latitude. The team learned that the prevalence and incidence of MS in Newcastle, which is quite high, has increased since previous studies. A novel finding was that the prevalence of MS in Newcastle is nearly as high as that of Hobart.
Dr Simpson-Yap and his team have now reported on the prevalence and incidence of MS in Townsville for the first time. The prevalence of MS in tropical Queensland is also quite high, although not as high as higher latitudes.
The team also found that the variation in MS prevalence according to latitude is less pronounced than previously found. The team is now interested to see how the results from Geelong fit in with these findings.
Simpson-Yap S, Maddox D, Reece J, Lechner-Scott J, Shaw C, Taylor BV, Kalincik T, van der Walt A, Boggild M. “Longitudinal epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 2012-2022.” MSARD. Jun 2023;77:104845. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104845
Updated 31 July 2023
Dr Steve Simpson-Yap
$22,430
2022
1 year
Current project
