There are occasional reports about the low prevalence of multiple sclerosis among Gypsies. To verify these reports of low prevalence of multiple sclerosis among Gypsies compared to the white population in Bulgaria, an epidemiological study was conducted in two small regions of Bulgaria. All patients with clinically or laboratory-supported, definite multiple sclerosis according to Poser’s criteria were personally interviewed and examined. The study was begun on January 1, 1997 and March 31, 1998 was selected as prevalence day. For the white population, the prevalence ratio of multiple sclerosis per 100,000 population was 44.9 in the first region and 44.4 in the second. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Gypsies was found to be 19.1/100,000 in the first region and 18.4 in the second. It is concluded that multiple sclerosis is less common in Gypsies than in whites living in the same areas.

We studied the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Gypsies and Caucasians in Bulgaria. Cases were ascertained by examination in a clinic, a screening questionnaire and a door-to-door survey in a region of Sofia, Bulgaria. The prevalence of PD in the Gypsies was found to be 16/100,000 based on 1 case compared to 137/100,000 for Caucasians with 119 cases. It is concluded that PD is rare in Bulgarian Gypsies.