title: Seasonal distribution and evolving forms of multiple sclerosis patients diagnosed from April 2004 to November 2007.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) was first reported in Cuba in 1965. The most frequent appearance is observed in the first six months of the year.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the seasonal distribution and evolving forms of MS patients diagnosed with the disease between April 2004 and November 2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with suspected MS and 42 outbreaks were studied. Patients were classified according to Lublin and Revingold's criteria for clinical forms and according to McDonald.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients were classified in outbreak and remission and only two patients classified as primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. The higher number of outbreaks occurred in the first two quarters of the year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is recommended to study further weather variables that may be related to the emergence of these outbreaks in our environment.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio Central de Líquido Cefalorraquídeo, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas Dr. Miguel enríquez, Instituto Superior de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana, Cuba. hermes.fundora@infomed.sld.cu
authors.forename: Hermes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fundora-Hernández
authors.forename: Alberto J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dorta-Contreras
authors.forename: Maray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Socias-López
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fraga-Santana
authors.forename: Silvia Nicté
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Villatoro-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Padilla-Docal
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Noris-García
authors.forename: Raisa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bu-Coifiu-Fanego
authors.forename: Marlén
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González-Hernández
mesh_terms: D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons