Multiple sclerosis in southern Europe. I: Prevalence in Sicily in 1975.

Dean, Geoffrey; Grimaldi, Giuseppe; Kelly, Rachel S.; Karhausen, Lucien

doi:10.1136/jech.33.2.107

Cited by 77 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Potential risk factors should be reconcilable with at least some aspects of the epidemiology of MS. For the purposes of this paper, we considered the primary epidemiologic features of MS to be: (1) MS affects more females than males, in a ratio approaching 2:1 [3,4]; (2) in general, the prevalence and incidence of MS increase with latitude [5,6], although exceptions to this latitude gradient exist [7][8][9]; (3) migration studies suggest that individuals who move from an area where the risk of MS is high to an area where the risk is lower show a decrease in risk. Although it is difficult to establish a critical age at which migration affects risk since few studies have collected information on age at migration, it does appear that the younger the age the greater the reduction in risk.…”

Section: Plausibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Several Potential Non-Genetic Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis

Coo

Aronson²

2004

Neuroepidemiology

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We reviewed the literature published in the English language to determine the weight of evidence for several potential non-genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis, including solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), sex hormones and dietary fat/fatty acids. We ranked the plausibility of each factor and graded the methodological rigour of case-control and cohort studies to determine whether there was a sufficient number of high-quality studies to weigh the evidence. Based on our criteria, the plausibility for solar UVR and sex hormones is good and fair for dietary fat/fatty acids. However, the body of epidemiologic evidence is insufficient for these three sets of risk factors. We did not find a sufficient number of methodologically rigorous studies to weigh the evidence for any of the potential risk factors we examined.

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Section: Plausibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Several Potential Non-Genetic Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis

Coo

Aronson²

2004

Neuroepidemiology

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“…Malta and Sicily [16,17], separated by a few kilometres but by much genetic difference, show striking differences in prevalence not readily attributed to differ ences in environment. On the other hand, the notion o f a latitude effect finds support and confirmation in recent studies from the Anti podes [18,19] where a north-south gradient is robust in the absence o f demonstrable ethnic gradients in both Australia and New Zealand.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Geographic Distribution of Multiple Sclerosis: A Review

1993

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The decisive conclusions to be drawn from the geography and prevalence of MS are: (1) a north-south (as well as west-east in the United States) gradient exists independent from genetic/racial factors; (2) major differences in prevalence occur in the absence of difference in latitude; (3) individuals from the same ethnic derivation have either the similar prevalence or have very different prevalence rates in widely separated geographical areas, and (4) specific resistant isolates are shown to exist regardless of latitude. Existing prevalence information leads to the almost inescapable conclusion that the geography of MS cannot be explained by any single known environmental or genetic factor(s) in isolation. A combination of a heterogeneous distribution of both genetic and environmental factors appears to be required to explain the available data on MS and geography.

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“…17 Four studies were carried out in the center and in the west cost of Sicily during 1975 to 1985, showing rates ranging from 32 to 51 cases per 100,000. [18][19][20][21] All these surveys investigated smaller populations (not greater than 60,000 inhabitants) and used different diagnostic criteria. A second survey was carried out in Monreale in 1991, showing a higher rate (72.4/ 100,000) than that reported in 1980 (43/100,000).…”

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confidence: 99%

Prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in Catania, Sicily

Nicoletti¹,

Bartolo²,

Fermo³

et al. 2001

Neurology

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Article abstract-Objective: An epidemiologic survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and incidence of MS in the city of Catania, Sicily, Italy. Prevalence rate was calculated as point prevalence at January 1,1995, and incidence during 1974 to 1995. Methods: The authors studied the frequency of MS in the community of Catania in a population of 333,075 inhabitants according to the 1991 census. The primary sources for the case ascertainment were the neurologic and motor rehabilitation departments, the MS Center, the Italian MS Association, private neurologists, and family doctors. All patients who satisfied the Poser criteria for clinically definite MS, laboratory-supported definite MS, clinically probable MS, and laboratory-supported probable MS were considered prevalent and incident cases. Results: One hundred ninetyfive patients with MS who had had the onset of disease on prevalence day in a population of 333,075 inhabitants were detected. The prevalence rate was 58.5 per 100,000 (95% CI 50.7 to 67.5). Prevalence was higher in women (62.0/100,000) than in men (54.8/100,000). The age-specific prevalence showed a peak in the group aged 35 to 44 (145

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Multiple sclerosis in southern Europe. I: Prevalence in Sicily in 1975.

Cited by 77 publications

References 4 publications

A Systematic Review of Several Potential Non-Genetic Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis

A Systematic Review of Several Potential Non-Genetic Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis

The Geographic Distribution of Multiple Sclerosis: A Review

Prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in Catania, Sicily

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