Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which commonly leads to disability. We reviewed articles on MS from Pakistan using PubMed, Google Scholar and Pak Medinet to present different aspects of the disease and the status of disease modifying treatments in Pakistan and South Asia. MS is not as uncommon in Pakistan as it has been previously thought to be. Estimated prevalence of MS in Pakistan may be 10 per 100,000 population. Data suggests that most features of MS found in Pakistan are similar to those found in the West. These features include a female preponderance, mean age of onset in the third decade of life and similar risk factors including viral infections, smoking, and vitamin D deficiency, as well as genetic risk factors. Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is the most common disease pattern seen in Pakistan which is also consistent with data from other regions. Treatment modalities in Pakistan include immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive drugs. In order to improve care for MS patients in Pakistan, it is extremely important to obtain a population-based prevalence of MS in the country and a national MS registry, along with implementing programs for patients' awareness and the training of doctors, especially internists. There are many disease modifying therapies (DMT) available in Pakistan but no data is available on the utilization and impact of these DMTs.

中文翻译：

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巴基斯坦的多发性硬化症：现状和未来展望

多发性硬化症 (MS) 是一种中枢神经系统 (CNS) 脱髓鞘疾病，通常会导致残疾。我们使用 PubMed、Google Scholar 和 Pak Medinet 审查了来自巴基斯坦的关于 MS 的文章，以介绍该疾病的不同方面以及巴基斯坦和南亚疾病改善治疗的现状。MS 在巴基斯坦并不像以前认为的那样罕见。巴基斯坦 MS 的估计患病率可能为每 100,000 人中 10 人。数据表明，在巴基斯坦发现的 MS 的大多数特征与在西方发现的特征相似。这些特征包括女性占优势、平均发病年龄为 30 岁，以及类似的风险因素，包括病毒感染、吸烟和维生素 D 缺乏，以及遗传风险因素。复发缓解型多发性硬化症 (RRMS) 是巴基斯坦最常见的疾病模式，这也与其他地区的数据一致。巴基斯坦的治疗方式包括免疫调节和免疫抑制药物。为了改善对巴基斯坦 MS 患者的护理，获得该国基于人群的 MS 患病率和国家 MS 登记处，以及实施提高患者意识和培训医生（尤其是内科医生）的计划极为重要。巴基斯坦有许多疾病改善疗法 (DMT)，但没有关于这些 DMT 的利用和影响的数据。为了改善对巴基斯坦 MS 患者的护理，获得该国基于人群的 MS 患病率和国家 MS 登记处，以及实施提高患者意识和培训医生（尤其是内科医生）的计划极为重要。巴基斯坦有许多疾病改善疗法 (DMT)，但没有关于这些 DMT 的利用和影响的数据。为了改善对巴基斯坦 MS 患者的护理，获得该国基于人群的 MS 患病率和国家 MS 登记处，以及实施提高患者意识和培训医生（尤其是内科医生）的计划极为重要。巴基斯坦有许多疾病改善疗法 (DMT)，但没有关于这些 DMT 的利用和影响的数据。