title: Prevalence estimates for MS in the United States and evidence of an increasing trend for women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to provide current age-, sex-, and region-specific MS prevalence estimates and to identify trends using the National Health Interview Survey. The overall prevalence estimate was 85/100,000 population, or approximately 211,000 (+/-20,000) persons. A 50% increase was observed in the number of women reporting MS for 1991 through 1994 vs 1982 through 1986. The observed trend in higher numbers of self-reported MS among women is consistent with recent observations of higher prevalence and incidence.
authors.affiliation: Health Investigations Branch, Division of Health Studies, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA, USA. cnoonan@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Curtis W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Noonan
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kathman
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology