title: [Multiple sclerosis epidemiological situation update: pertinence and set-up of a population based registry of new cases in Catalonia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The first epidemiological studies on multiple sclerosis (MS) around the world pictured a north to south latitudinal gradient that led to the first genetic and environmental pathogenic hypothesis. MS incidence seems to be increasing during the past 20 years based on recent data from prospective studies performed in Europe, America and Asia. This phenomenon could be explained by a better case ascertainment as well as a change in causal factors. The few prospective studies in our area together with the increase in the disease in other regions, justifies an epidemiological MS project in order to describe the incidence and temporal trends of MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective multicenter MS registry has been established according to the actual requirements of an epidemiological surveillance system. Case definition is based on the fulfillment of the McDonald diagnostic criteria. The registry setting is the geographical area of Cataluna (northeastern Spain), using a wide network of hospitals specialized in MS management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent epidemiological studies have described an increase in MS incidence. In order to contrast this finding in our area, we consider appropriate to set up a population based registry.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Preventiva y Epidemiología, Hospital General Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España. sotero@vhebron.net
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Batlle
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bonaventura
authors.forename: Ll
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brieva
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bufill
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Escartín
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marco
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moral
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Munteis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nos
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pericot
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Perkal
authors.forename: Ll
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramió-Torrentà
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramo-Tello
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saiz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sastre-Garriga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tintoré
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaqué
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Montalban
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology