title: On the estimation of the distribution of the latent period of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: A widely accepted hypothesis is that the initiation of multiple sclerosis occurs many years before the clinical onset of disease. Thus far, attempts to describe the characteristics of the latent period have depended entirely on ad hoc methods relying heavily on the results of migrant studies. Here, by introducing a stochastic model to describe the initiation-onset process, the distribution of the latent period is estimated, and several important consequences for multiple sclerosis discussed.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Que., Canada.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Wolfson
authors: D B
authors: DB
authors: Wolfson
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Zielinski
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D013997:Time Factors