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Space‐time clustering of multiple sclerosis cases around birth
Author(s) -
Buuren S.,
Zaadstra B. M.,
Zwanikken C. P.,
Buljevac D.,
Noort J. M.
Publication year - 1998
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 - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1998.tb05965.x
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , cluster analysis , medicine , pediatrics , statistics , immunology , mathematics
Objectives – To investigate whether infectious events around birth and during early infancy are likely to be of relevance in MS pathogenesis. Subjects and methods – Data are available from two regions in The Netherlands: Groningen ( n =320) and Rotterdam ( n =226). Simultaneous clustering in birth date and birth location of MS cases is tested by the methods of Mantel, Knox and Jacquez. Results – No evidence was found for a space‐time interaction between place and time of birth. Conclusion – Perinatal infectious events are unlikely to be a major factor in determining MS susceptibility.