title: Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Barrhead County, Alberta, Canada.
abstract: A prevalence study of multiple sclerosis (MS) was carried out in the town of Barrhead and surrounding county of Barrhead, in Alberta, Canada. The prevalence rate for clinically probable/definite multiple sclerosis on January 1, 1990 was 196/100,000. The average annual incidence rates for patients living in the area at onset were 1.31/100,000 for 1950-59, 4.97/100,000 for 1960-69, 3.77/100,000 for 1970-79, and 4.22/100,000 for 1980-89. Fifty percent of the patients were relapsing-remitting. Sixty percent were still walking without assistance. The female-to-male ratio was 1:1. Mean current age, age at onset and duration of illness were 49, 27 and 22 years respectively. The majority of patients (40%) experienced multiple symptom onset. Fifty percent were of single ethnic origin (either British or German); the rest were predominantly North European combinations. Forty percent of patients reported another MS relative. MS had affected the work status of 60% of the patients, 15% of whom were confined to an extended care centre.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Warren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta; D004651:Employment; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors