Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the distribution of multiple sclerosis in the Belgrade population.


METHODS
All persons who were affected and/or died from multiple sclerosis (Poser's criteria), with residence in the Belgrade region had been collected from January 1, 1985 to December 31, 1996. Prevalence was adjusted by direct method, using world population.


RESULTS
From 1985 to 1996, 823 patients were suffering from multiple sclerosis. Sex ratio was 1:1.9. The mean age at onset was 32.2 +/- 9.8 years. A relapsing-remitting course of multiple sclerosis was reported in 50.7% patients, secondary progressive in 36.4%, patients, and primary progressive in 12.9% patients. On December 31, 1996, age-adjusted prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belgrade was 41.5/100,000, 28.2/100,000 for males, and 54.1/100,000 for females. During the period studied, statistically highly significant increasing trend of multiple sclerosis prevalence was observed (P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
According to findings presented in this study, Belgrade is an area with high prevalence of multiple sclerosis.
Pekmezovic
T
T
Institute of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia. pekmezovic@sezampro.yu
Jarebinski
M
M
Drulovic
J
J
Stojsavljevic
N
N
Levic
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology*; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000453:epidemiology
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D043025:Oligoclonal Bands