title: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in central Italy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Millefiorini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cortese
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Rezze
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barletta
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bellantonio
authors.forename: Anna P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Batocchi
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Battista
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gasperini
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koudriatseva
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Totaro
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Durastanti
mesh_terms: 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