title: Prevalence of von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis in Dunedin, New Zealand.
abstract: A point prevalence study of von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF-1) was undertaken in greater Dunedin, New Zealand, having a base population of 113,700. A total of 52 individuals with NF-1 were identified, for a crude prevalence estimate of 45.7 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval 31.6-59.8 per 100,000) or 1 in 2,190 and an age-standardized prevalence of 48.5 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval 34.7-62.4 per 100,000) or 1 in 2,062. This is the highest prevalence estimate reported to date. This is presumed most likely to be due to a small population effect. The prevalence of NF correlated with age, being greatest among those aged 20-29 years and relatively low among those 60 or more years of age.
authors.affiliation: Hugh Adam Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D009520:New Zealand; D010375:Pedigree