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Moyamoya Angiopathy Prevalence Varies Greatly Among Ethnic Groups in South Auckland

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study published in the Internal Medicine Journal has shed light on the demographic, imaging, and disease patterns of moyamoya angiopathy in South Auckland, New Zealand. The research, funded by the Maori Health Advisory Committee, aimed to determine the disease prevalence, age, sex, and ethnic distribution, management, and patient outcomes in adults residing in South Auckland.

The study identified 49 patients with moyamoya angiopathy, with a total of 300 patient-years of follow-up. The point prevalence ranged from 4/100,000 in NZ Europeans and Asian people to 10/100,000 in Maori and 14/100,000 in Pacific Islanders. The mean age at diagnosis was 37 years, and females outnumbered males by 3:1. One-quarter of patients had a vascular event within a median of 457 days from diagnosis, and two-thirds of the overall cohort were independent on follow-up.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a wide ethnic variation in the prevalence of moyamoya angiopathy, with Maori and Pacific Islanders having higher rates than NZ Europeans and Asian people.
  • The mean age at diagnosis was 37 years, and females outnumbered males by 3:1.
  • One-quarter of patients had a vascular event within a median of 457 days from diagnosis.
  • Two-thirds of the overall cohort were independent on follow-up.
  • Factors associated with a loss of independence included stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) during follow-up, bilateral disease, and severe hypoperfusion on imaging.
  • The mortality rate was 14%.
  • The study highlights the need for further research on moyamoya angiopathy in diverse populations.

Statistics:

  • 49 patients were identified with moyamoya angiopathy.
  • The total number of patient-years of follow-up was 300.
  • The point prevalence ranged from 4/100,000 in NZ Europeans and Asian people to 10/100,000 in Maori and 14/100,000 in Pacific Islanders.
  • The mean age at diagnosis was 37 years (standard deviation 16).
  • Females outnumbered males by 3:1.
  • One-quarter of patients had a vascular event within a median of 457 days from diagnosis.
  • Two-thirds of the overall cohort were independent on follow-up.

Sources:

  • NewsRx, Inc. (2025). Studies from Middlemore Hospital Describe New Findings in Electronic Medical Records (Demographic, Imaging and Disease Patterns of Moyamoya Angiopathy In South Auckland: an Observational Study From Electronic Health Records). Telemedicine Week. October 21, 2025; p 859.
  • Demographic, Imaging and Disease Patterns of Moyamoya Angiopathy In South Auckland: an Observational Study From Electronic Health Records. Internal Medicine Journal, 2025.
  • Internal Medicine Journal can be contacted at: Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; Internal Medicine Journal - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1445-5994)

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