The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in central Italy.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of multiple sclerosis varies considerably throughout the world.


OBJECTIVE
To better define the prevalence of MS in central Italy.


METHODS
This is a population-based study conducted in the province of Frosinone, which is situated in the Lazio region, central Italy. The selected prevalence day was 1 January 2007. A total of 467 patients, with a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, were considered for crude, age- and sex-specific prevalence estimation.


RESULTS
The overall crude prevalence rate was 95.0 cases per 100,000 (95% confidence interval (CI) 86.6-104.0). A significantly higher prevalence rate was recorded in females (134.9, 95% CI 121.0-150.1) than in males (53.3, 95% CI 44.4-63.3) (p = 0.001). Age-specific prevalence peaked in the 25-34 year, 35-44 year and 45-54 year age groups; moreover, it was found to increase up to the 35-44 year age group in males and the 45-54 year age group in females, decreasing thereafter. The female to male ratio was 2.6.


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm that MS occurs more frequently in central Italy than might be expected on the basis of the geographic-related distribution model, thus supporting the view that this is a high-risk area for the disease.
Millefiorini
Enrico
E
Department of Neurological Sciences, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
Cortese
Antonio
A
Di Rezze
Simone
S
Barletta
Giovanna
G
Bellantonio
Paolo
P
Batocchi
Anna P
AP
Di Battista
Giancarlo
G
Fiore
Stefania
S
Gasperini
Claudio
C
Grasso
Maria Grazia
MG
Koudriatseva
Tatiana
T
Totaro
Rocco
R
Durastanti
Valentina
V
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence