The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the south of Europe seems to be higher than previously considered. This study aimed to probe a possible increase in the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Osona over the past 17 years. This was a cross-sectional study including MS-confirmed cases from several sources of information. Crude and adjusted prevalence rates were obtained. One hundred and twenty patients fulfilled the study criteria. The crude prevalence of MS was 79.9 (95% CI: 66.3-95.6) per 100,000 inhabitants and 91.2 (95% CI: 75.5-109.2) per 100,000 among Spanish born individuals. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis cases in Osona has increased over the past 17 years to being one of the highest reported in Spain.

Objective: To determine the age-specific incidence and clinical-epidemiological characteristics of an Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cohort patient in Catalonia (Spain). Methods and results: New cases diagnosed between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2013 were 41 (20 men and 21 women), with an annual crude incidence rate of 2.7 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI 1.90 -3.59). The incidence rate increased with age reaching a peak in the age-group of 70 to 79 years. There was a non significant decrease in the incidence rate in the group of patients over 80 (P value = 0.75) 17.99 per 100 000 person years (95% CI 7.81 -28.17). The percentage of patients over age 80 was 29.3% and over age 85 was 9.8%. The prevalence rate at the end of the study period was 8.38/100.000 of the total population. Mean age at symptom onset was 76.0 years. Onset of symptoms was bulbar or generalized in 36.6% of cases.Conclusions: ALS incidence in Osona is within the range of other countries across Europe. Our results suggest that the age-specific incidence rate of ALS increases with age through the oldest age groups suggesting an age-risk effect to develop the disease.

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These figures show the highest prevalence rate reported to date. This high prevalence is due to the rate observed among patients older than 65. These results provide a new warning that myasthenia gravis may be underdiagnosed in the elderly population.

Many cancer patients are still poorly assessed for risk of VTE. Bemiparin 3500 IU/d is associated with a lower incidence of VTE without significant increase in complications as compared with bemiparin 2500 IU/d. Postoperative bemiparin prophylaxis seems to be as effective and safer than preoperative start of prophylaxis. Further prospective clinical studies are needed to fully address this issue.