Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in five rural Suffolk practices.
OBJECTIVE
To determine a point prevalence of multiple sclerosis in part of Suffolk.


METHODS
Multiple source search for patients with multiple sclerosis in five general practices. Patients were reviewed and categorised by using general practice notes.


METHODS
Five rural general practices in Suffolk, 12 May 1988.


METHODS
31,379 patients registered with five practices.


METHODS
Multiple sclerosis diagnosed by a specialist.


RESULTS
The search produced a provisional list of 62 eligible patients with multiple sclerosis. Review of case notes showed that 48 had probable disease, 10 early disease, and four possible disease. The probable cases gave a crude prevalence of 153/100,000 population (95% confidence interval 109/100,000 to 196/100,000).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the results should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size, they suggest that the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Suffolk is higher than has been estimated from hospital data.
Lockyer
M J
MJ
D000367:Age Factors; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population