Differences in MS clinical and epidemiological characteristics between Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi Jewish patients in Israel: a retrospective single center study

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 12; no. 1; p. 4555
• Main Authors: Karni, Arnon, Ben Noon, Gil, Shiner, Tamara, Vigiser, Ifat, Kolb, Hadar, Regev, Keren
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 16.03.2022; Nature Publishing Group UK; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: Epidemiology; Ethnicity; Female; Genotype & phenotype; Humans; Israel - epidemiology; Jews - genetics; Magnetic resonance imaging; Male; Minority & ethnic groups; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - epidemiology; Multiple Sclerosis - genetics; Patients; Phenotype; Phenotypes; Retrospective Studies; White people; Israel
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08565-7

The prevalence and severity of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) varies across different ethnicities, with a tendency to a more severe phenotype in non-Caucasian populations.  Our objective was to evaluate the differences in disease phenotype between Ashkenazi Jewish and Non-Ashkenazi Jewish patients in Israel. We conducted a single center retrospective cohort study in which subjects were assigned to Ashkenazi or Non-Ashkenazi groups according to self-reported ancestry and disease severity was assessed using the expanded disability status (EDSS), MS severity score (MSSS), progression index (PI) and MRI metrics. 330 Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) and 207 Non-Ashkenazi Jewish patients (Non-AJ) were included. Non-AJ had a younger age of disease onset (32.7 years vs. 35.7 years, p = 0.05), with a lower proportion of females (62.3% vs. 73.3%, p = 0.01). These differences were maintained within the subgroup of Israeli native patients. Ethnicity was a significant predictor of MSSS (β = 0.601, p = 0.003), with a higher estimate than that of other epidemiological factors. To conclude, Non-AJ patients had an earlier age of onset and a more disabling disease as well as having a more balanced female to male ratio compared to AJ patients. These findings demonstrate variability of disease phenotype within Caucasian patient's dependent on their ethnicity despite equivalent access to healthcare services.