title: Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Tuscany (Central Italy): A Study Based on Validated Administrative Data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple Sclerosis (MS) epidemiology in Italy is mainly based on population-based prevalence studies. Administrative data are an additional source of information, when available, in prevalence studies of chronic diseases such as MS. The aim of our study is to update the prevalence rate of MS in Tuscany (central Italy) as at 2011 using a validated case-finding algorithm based on administrative data.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prevalence was calculated using an algorithm based on the following administrative data: hospital discharge records, drug-dispensing records, disease-specific exemptions from copayment to health care, home and residential long-term care and inhabitant registry. To test algorithm sensitivity, we used a true-positive reference cohort of MS patients from the Tuscan MS register. To test algorithm specificity, we used another cohort of individuals who were presumably not affected by MS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As at December 31, 2011, we identified 6,890 cases (4,738 females and 2,152 males) with a prevalence of 187.9 per 100,000. The sensitivity of algorithm was 98% and the specificity was 99.99%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found a prevalence higher than the rates present in literature. Our algorithm, based on administrative data, can accurately identify MS patients; moreover, the resulting cohort is suitable to monitor disease care pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Daiana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bezzini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Policardo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meucci
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ulivelli
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartalini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Profili
authors.forename: Mario Alberto
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Francesconi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult