ObjectivesComprehensive epidemiologic data for multiple sclerosis (MS) in Spain are limited. The aim of this study was to collect epidemiologic data on MS in the Northern Seville District of Spain.Materials and methodsThis longitudinal study identified possible MS cases every year from nine centres between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 2011. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MS were included. MS data prior to enrolment were collected retrospectively from clinical records and prospectively during quarterly follow‐up clinic visits. Variables included age at onset, age at diagnosis, treatment, follow‐up duration, number of visits, number of relapses, change in the number of relapses over time and Expanded Disability Status Scale score. The incidence and prevalence of MS rate were calculated.ResultsOverall, 156 patients with MS were identified (111 females; mean follow‐up 7.5 years). Most patients had relapsing‐remitting MS (73.7%); primary progressive disease was less frequent than secondary disease (10.9% vs 15.4%). The yearly incidence of MS was 4.6 per 100,000, and the prevalence at 31 December 2011 was 90.2 per 100,000.ConclusionsThe annual MS incidence rate in this southern region of Spain was higher than previously reported rates in Spanish studies.

The confinement due to the global COVID-19 pandemic has almost had negative consequences in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Objective We wanted to compare the socio-labor effect of confinement in two populations as different as Spain and China, in patients with MS. Method Questionnaires were applied to a group of MS patients who have been reviewed in the MS unit of the Vithas hospital (DINAC Foundation) in Seville, and MS patients attended in various provinces of China during the month of April 2020, with the aim of analyzing the differences and similarities of the socio-labor effect between both populations. To carry out this analysis, a database was created and subsequently analyzed. Results The Chinese population has a higher proportion of younger patients and there is no difference regarding gender. Most of the variables studied behaved the same way in both Spanish and Chinese MS patients. Spanish patients had less impact (30.7%) on their socio-economic situation than Chinese (44%), p < 0.05. There were no important differences in the rest of the variables between the two populations. Social networks were widely used in the majority of patients in both populations. Conclusions MS patients suffer in a very similar way from the consequences of the pandemic on their socio-labor situation and similarly use social networks and family support. Spanish patients seem to have more economic stability, which may be due to social economic support.

Introduction Age range for cervical screening varies widely between countries. In addition, sexual behavior has changed, life expectancy is increasing, and new insights have been gained into the pathogenesis of HPV infection. Our aim is to evaluate the distribution of cervical lesions in young and older patients. Methods Review of all cervical smears diagnosed in a public institution (2010‐2017) and a private institution (2016‐2017) in Madrid, Spain. We have included all women aged younger than 30 and older than 65 years with atypical smears (n = 1573). Results Women younger than 30 years were diagnosed with ASCUS, ASC‐H, LSIL, and HSIL in 47%, 5.3%, 45.17%, and 2.6% of atypical cases, respectively. Women older than 65 years were diagnosed with ASCUS, ASC‐H, LSIL, HSIL, and SCC in 38%, 12.39%, 16.8%, 13.27%, and 19.5% of atypical cases, respectively. Medical records of patients from the public institution were reviewed. Of note, 76.3% of young women showed negative smears at follow‐up and 14.1% showed high‐grade dysplasia (HGD). Mean ages for low‐grade and HGD were 24.7 and 25.7 years, respectively. HGD was found in 37.9% of women with histological examination (33.5%). As for older patients, 25% of them had no Pap smears performed before age 65, and in 60% of the previously screened women, the screening program had not been used adequately. Mean age of first smear was 69.5 years. Carcinoma was subsequently detected in 20.7% of patients. Conclusions Current guidelines seem to be adequately preventing carcinoma in young women. However, screening adherence should be encouraged to detect important lesions in both age groups, especially among older women.

El confinamiento debido a la pandemia de la COVID-19, realizado a nivel mundial, ha tenido consecuencias casi siempre negativas en los pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (EM). Objetivo Hemos comparado el efecto sociolaboral que el confinamiento ha podido tener en pacientes con EM de dos poblaciones tan diferentes como son España y China. Método Se elaboraron unos cuestionarios a lo que respondieron un grupo de pacientes de EM que son revisados en la unidad de EM del hospital Vithas (Fundación DINAC) en Sevilla, y pacientes con EM atendidos en varias provincias de China durante el mes de abril de 2020, con el objetivo de analizar las diferencias y similitudes del efecto sociolaboral entre ambas poblaciones. Para llevar a cabo este análisis se creó una base de datos que se analizó posteriormente. Resultados La población china tiene una mayor proporción de pacientes más jóvenes y no hay diferencia respecto al género. La mayoría de las variables estudiadas se comportaron de igual forma en los pacientes con EM tanto españoles como chinos. Los pacientes españoles presentaron menos impacto (30,7%) en su situación socioeconómica que los chinos (44%), p < 0,05. No hubo diferencias importantes en el resto de las variables entre las dos poblaciones. Las redes sociales fueron muy utilizadas en la mayoría de los enfermos de ambas poblaciones. Conclusiones Los pacientes con EM padecen de forma muy similar las consecuencias de la pandemia en su situación sociolaboral y utilizan de forma parecida las redes sociales y el apoyo de la familia. Los pacientes españoles disfrutan de más estabilidad económica, probablemente gracias al apoyo social que reciben.