title: Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Brazil: A systematic review.
abstract: Epidemiological studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) conducted in Latin America have revealed prevalence rates of this disease from low to medium. The aim of this study was to gather and analyze surveys on prevalence conducted in Brazil, noting its variability in different regions. Systematic review was held in electronic databases and manual search in abstracts concerning ECTRIMS, LACTRIMS and Brazilian Congress of Neurology. Nineteen studies made reference to prevalence rates that ranged from 1.36/100,000 to 27.2/100.000 inhabitants. More studies on the epidemiology of MS in Brazil will be needed for a better assessment of its prevalence and profile.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurologia da Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro- UNIRIO, Brasil; Universidade Severino Sombra, Vassouras, Brasil. Electronic address: anacalmon@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Ana Beatriz Calmon Nogueira
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: da Gama Pereira
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurologia da Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro- UNIRIO, Brasil; Hospital dos Servidores do Estado, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria Clinete
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sampaio Lacativa
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurologia da Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro- UNIRIO, Brasil; Neuroclínica, Volta Redonda, Brasil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Ferreira Chaves
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: da Costa Pereira
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurologia da Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro- UNIRIO, Brasil; Hospital Federal da Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Regina Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Papais Alvarenga
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Brazil; Epidemiology; Incidence; Multiple Sclerosis; Prevalence