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Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Västerbotten County in northern Sweden
Author(s) -
Sundström P.,
Nyström L.,
Forsgren L.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0404.2001.d01-23.x
Subject(s) - epidemiology , medicine , multiple sclerosis , confidence interval , demography , prevalence , pediatrics , psychiatry , sociology
Objective– To estimate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Västerbotten County in northern Sweden. Methods –Individuals with MS were identified from several sources. A follow‐up interview and/or examination was performed in 94% of cases still living in the area during 1997–99. Onset adjusted prevalence and a definition of onset symptoms were applied. Results – A total of 313 cases were identified, resulting in an onset adjusted crude prevalence of MS for January 1990 of 125/10 5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 112–140). Female predominance was evident (163/10 5 (95% CI: 142–187) vs 86/10 5 (95% CI: 71–104)). Diagnostic coding registers were the most important source for identification of cases. Conclusions – The crude prevalence of MS in Västerbotten was higher than previous reports from other major areas in Scandinavia. The adjusted prevalence was significantly higher when compared with a previous study from Göteborg, south‐western Sweden. The methodology used in this study gives a high degree of case ascertainment and increases the comparability of multiple sclerosis epidemiological studies.