Review article
https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2026_349318
Genetic Studies of Multiple Sclerosis: Our Experience
Ivana Stanković Matić
; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Zavod za medicinsku biologiju i genetiku, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Smiljana Ristić
; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Zavod za medicinsku biologiju i genetiku, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Miljenko Kapović
; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Zavod za medicinsku biologiju i genetiku, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Vladimira Vuletić
; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Klinika za neurologiju, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Jasna Nekić
; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Klinički zavod za nuklearnu medicinu, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Dolores Janko Labinac
; Opća bolnica Pula, Odjel za neurologiju, Pula, Hrvatska
Dobrica Rončević
; Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo PGŽ-a, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Emina Grgurević Dujmić
; Dom zdravlja PGŽ-a, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Borut Peterlin
; Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Klinični inštitut za genomsko medicino, Ljubljana, Slovenija
Nada Starčević Čizmarević
; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Zavod za medicinsku biologiju i genetiku, Rijeka, Hrvatska
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
In recent years, an increasing number of epidemiological studies have shown significantly higher prevalence and incidence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS). This paper, along with epidemiological data from European countries and new epidemiological concepts, provides a brief overview of long-term genetic-epidemiological research conducted at the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka related to MS in our region, primarily in the Gorski Kotar region as a high-risk area for this disease. The influence of genetic homogeneity and heterogeneity of the population on the frequency of familial cases was also analyzed, comparing the previous period with the current state, as well as potential implications for disease progression. In line with other studies worldwide, our results, as well as a comparison with the previous epidemiological analysis conducted in 1999 in Gorski Kotar speak in favor of an increase in the prevalence of MS. Gorski Kotar continues to represent an area with a permanently high prevalence of MS and an increased frequency of familial cases, which indicates the important role of genetic and environmental factors in the development of the disease. Despite changes in the demographic structure and migration movements of the population over the past two decades, the high prevalence has been stably maintained, which further confirms the specificity of this region. Planned genetic and epidemiological studies, including the analysis of family cases in the Istrian County, will contribute to further elucidation of the etiology of MS and understanding of its regional diversity in Croatia. A single national MS registry and databases based on the Croatian population are crucial for researching this disease and monitoring the changing prognosis of MS, which can improve economic efficiency and priority setting in health policy planning for MS.
Keywords
epidemiology; genetics; multiple sclerosis; prevalence; risk factors
Hrčak ID:
349318
URI
Publication date:
1.9.2026.
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