The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Investigations on the prevalence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) around the world have yielded important clues on the interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. As Brazil is a huge country laid on many latitudes and inhabited by population with distinct ethnic backgrounds, it might be assumed that the frequency of MS varies in its different regions.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence rate of MS in Belo Horizonte, the capital of the State of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil.


METHODS
We used six sources to draw up a provisional list of identified cases of MS. Only patients with diagnosis of clinically definite MS according to Poser Committee criteria were included.


RESULTS
The calculated crude MS prevalence was 18.1/100,000 inhabitants.


CONCLUSIONS
The MS prevalence in Belo Horizonte is similar to that found in São Paulo and Botucatu, two other cities in southeastern Brazil with similar ethnic background.
CIEM MS Research Center, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. marco.lanapeixoto@gmail.com
Marco A
MA
Lana-Peixoto
Elizabeth R C
ER
Frota
Gilberto B
GB
Campos
Leonardo P
LP
Monteiro
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult