Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. It is characterized by various symptoms depending on the area affected – brain, spinal cord or optic nerves. Multiple sclerosis typically presents at age 20–40 years and affects women more often than men. It is the most frequent nontraumatic disease causing neurologic deficit among young people. According to the 3rd edition of Atlas of MS, published by The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation in 2020, there are 2.8 million people living with the disease around the world. The last study on the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Bulgaria was published in 1999. It estimated prevalence of 44.5/100 000 and incidence 1.03/100 000. We present an epidemiological study conducted between January 2016 and December 2020 in two small areas in Bulgaria with homogenous and stable population – Svoge and Troyan. The estimated prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Troyan was 116.5/100 000 with incidence of 28.2/100 000. The prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in Svoge were 117.7/100 000 and 24.5/100 000, respectively. The reason for the higher prevalence and incidence rates in our study may be explained by the better diagnosis of the disease according to well defined diagnostic criteria, the longer survival of the affected individuals and the availability of various disease modifying therapies.
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