The increasing incidence and prevalence of MS in a Sardinian province

Granieri, Enrico; Casetta, Ilaria; Govoni, Vittorio; Tola, Maria Rosaria; Marchi, Daniele De; Murgia, Sb; Ticca, Anna; Pugliatti, Maura; Murgia, B.; Rosati, Giulio

doi:10.1212/wnl.55.6.842

Cited by 99 publications

(111 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The prevalence of MS observed in the present survey of 71.2 per 100,000 population is similar to that previously reported in the same municipality [2], and together with those reported in Sardinia [7] and Enna city [4] it is one of the highest observed in the Mediterranean area. These prevalence figures confirm that Sicily is also a highrisk area for MS and further raise doubts about the accuracy of the reported latitude gradient of MS [8].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Multiple Sclerosis in Southern Europe: Monreale City, Italy

Ragonese¹,

Salemi²,

D’Amelio³

et al. 2004

Neuroepidemiology

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Background: Several follow-up studies showed increasing prevalence and incidence rates for multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: To ascertain, throughout a follow-up study, the incidence and prevalence of MS in the city of Monreale, Sicily, southern Italy. Methods: We calculated crude and age- and sex-specific prevalence rates on December 31, 2000, and determined incidence rates for the period January 1, 1992 to December 31, 2000. Results: The prevalence of MS was 71.2 per 100,000 population (48,5/100,000 in men; 93,0/100,000 in women). The incidence rate of MS for the period 1992–2000 was 4.0/100,000 per year. Conclusion: This study showed a nonsignificant increase in MS incidence rates in Monreale city for 1992–2000 compared to 1981–1991. Prevalence rates were similar to those of the previous follow-up study. Intervals between onset of symptoms and diagnosis seemed shorter than in prior studies. There is no evidence that the high prevalence and incidence rates have changed in this interval but numbers are too small for firm statements. These findings indicate that in Monreale city MS prevalence is stable and confirm Sicily as a high-risk area for MS.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Multiple Sclerosis in Southern Europe: Monreale City, Italy

Ragonese¹,

Salemi²,

D’Amelio³

et al. 2004

Neuroepidemiology

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“…We carried out an ecological study in the Nuoro province of Sardinia, using data from a population-based case register. We found that MS affects more females than males (2.3:1), as has been previously reported [6,20], and clinical characteristics such as symptoms at onset were similar in frequency to those in other population studies [6]. The overall prevalence rate (157/100,000) is the highest value that has been estimated for any large community in Italy and southern Europe.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Italian epidemiological studies have reported prevalence rates of MS ranging from 32 to 58/100,000 inhabitants on mainland Italy [3], 153/100,000 in all of Sardinia [4], 102.6/100,000 in northwestern Sardinia [5] and 151.9/100,000 in central Sardinia [6]. A possible explanation for the worldwide geographical variation across different populations is that racial and ethnic susceptibility Montomoli et al to MS play a role that is more important than geography itself [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Ecologic Study of Geographical Variation in Multiple Sclerosis Risk in Central Sardinia, Italy

et al. 2002

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We carried out an ecological study in the most archaic area of Sardinia to obtain a reliable estimate of the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) and to investigate the geographical variation in the prevalence across the 100 administrative communes. To estimate the area-specific prevalence rate, we adopted a Bayesian approach that makes it possible to filter out the random variation from the estimates and to obtain a map that reflects the true geographical variation in MS prevalence. 428 resident cases were identified by the case register, including 69 multiplex families. The overall prevalence was 157 per 100,000 inhabitants. The Bayesian area-specific prevalence ranged from 143 to 262/100,000. The high prevalence and its moderate geographical variation in a genetically homogeneous population, as well as the high number of multiplex families observed in the communes with the highest prevalence, could be interpreted as representing a high susceptibility of the population to MS.

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“…The prevalence of MS reaches 151.9/100,000 in rural areas of central Sardinia [4] , and 120.2/100,000 in the central and hilly Sicilian town of Enna [1] . The most recent incidence rates range from 5.7 (Sicily) to 6.4/100,000/year (Sardinia) [1,3] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Prevalence and Fast Rising Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Caltanissetta, Sicily, Southern Italy

et al. 2006

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Background: Epidemiological studies conducted in Sicily and Sardinia, the two major Mediterranean islands, showed elevated incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS)and a recent increase in disease frequency. Objective: To confirm the central highlands of Sicily as areas of increasing MS prevalence and elevated incidence, we performed a follow-up study based on the town of Caltanissetta (Sicily), southern Italy. Methods: We made a formal diagnostic reappraisal of all living patients found in the previous study performed in 1981. All possible information sources were used to search for patients affected by MS diagnosed according to the Poser criteria. We calculated prevalence ratios, for patients affected by MS who were living and resident in the study area on December 31, 2002. Crude and age- and sex-specific incidence ratios were computed for the period from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2002. Results: The prevalence of definite MS rose in 20 years from 69.2 (retrospective prevalence rate) to 165.8/100,000 population. We calculated the incidence of definite MS for the period 1970–2000. These rates calculated for 5-year periods increased from 2.3 to 9.2/100,000/year. Conclusion: This survey shows the highest prevalence and incidence figures of MS in the Mediterranean area and confirms central Sicily as a very-high-risk area for MS.

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The increasing incidence and prevalence of MS in a Sardinian province

Cited by 99 publications

References 34 publications

Multiple Sclerosis in Southern Europe: Monreale City, Italy

Multiple Sclerosis in Southern Europe: Monreale City, Italy

An Ecologic Study of Geographical Variation in Multiple Sclerosis Risk in Central Sardinia, Italy

High Prevalence and Fast Rising Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Caltanissetta, Sicily, Southern Italy

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