engleski

Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis on the northern adriatic islands, Croatia.

In the context of a national project "Demyelinating diseases in Croatia", a descriptive epidemilogy of multiple sclerosis on the northern Adriatic islands was done. Method and patients. The study was conducted from June 1998 to June 1999. The total number of inhabitants in the area was 50,058. From the multiple sclerosis registre of Croatia at the Neurological Department, University of Rijeka 63 potential patients were analysed. Using the Poser's criteria 42 definite case were separated. Results. June 30, 1998 was chosen to be the prevalence day. The crude prevalence rate for this area was 48/100,000 (CI 95%:35.8-64.2). The approximate annual incidence rate (1989-94) was 2.5/100,000. The approximate mortality rate (1989-98) was 0.7. Distribution of multiple sclerosis on the investigated area was unhomogeneous, lowest on the islands of Rab (19.8/100,000), and highest on the islands of Cres and Losinj (63.08/100,000). Three families with more than one member affected with multiple sclerosis were found. Conclusion. The research shows that islands of the north Adriatic are an area of moderate to high risk of multiple sclerosis in Europe.

Multiple sclerosis; Epidemiology; Croatia

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