Region with persistent high frequency of multiple sclerosis in Croatia and Slovenia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS), and to determine the clinical characteristics and the occurrence of familial MS in the Gorski kotar–Koèevje region, which was previously considered to be a region of high prevalence of MS. All clinically and laboratory...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the neurological sciences 2006-09, Vol.247 (2), p.169-172
Main Authors: Peterlin, Borut, Ristiæ, Smiljana, Sepèiæ, Juraj, Vračko, Beatrika Končan, Rako, Andreja, Lovreèiæ, Luca, Brajenoviæ-Miliæ, Bojana, Rude, Josip, Materljan, Eris, Kapoviæ, Miljenko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Cluster
Croatia - epidemiology
Europe
Familial incidence
Female
Humans
Immunomodulators
Incidence
Isolated population
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis - epidemiology
Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis
Neurology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Sex Distribution
Slovenia - epidemiology
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Summary:The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS), and to determine the clinical characteristics and the occurrence of familial MS in the Gorski kotar–Koèevje region, which was previously considered to be a region of high prevalence of MS. All clinically and laboratory supported definite cases of MS according to Poser's criteria, living residents of the chosen area on June 1, 1999 were included in the study. The patients were ascertained through national case registers for MS at the University Medical Centers (Rijeka and Ljubljana), registries of the national associations of MS patients, as well as from the medical records of regional outpatient clinics. The crude annual prevalence per 100,000 population was 151.9 (95% CI 123.2–187.4). 28.7% of patients had a history of MS among first-, second-, or third-degree relatives. The frequency of primary progressive course of disease was 23.5%. The sex ratio (F/M) was 1.41. A stable high prevalence of MS as well as a high number of familial MS cases was identified in the neighbouring regions of Slovenia and Croatia.
ISSN:0022-510X
1878-5883
DOI:10.1016/j.jns.2006.04.002