Abstract
ObjectivesTo determine the temporal changes in incidence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) over the past 15 years in Lithuania with prediction up to 2020, and to estimate female‐to‐male sex ratio and its changes among MS patients.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a descriptive incidence study. The crude incidence rates (CIR) were calculated using 15‐year period, sex, age‐groups, and the number of newly registered MS patients. Standardized incidence rates (SIR) were calculated using European standard in order to evaluate the influence of resident structure changes on incidence of MS during the last 15 years. The data were processed using Minitab set to estimate a linear trend model for the temporal changes of 16 parameters.ResultsThe data showed a substantial growth of the incidence rate of MS in Lithuania during the period of 2001–2015. In 2001, MS was diagnosed to 162 new individuals, whereas 343 new cases of MS were diagnosed in 2015. During 2001–2015, the incidence of MS was on average 6.5 (95% CI 5.70–7.30) cases per 100,000 residents, and 4.9 (95% CI 4.46–5.34) and 8.1 (5.86–9.34) for 100,000 male and female, respectively. Female‐to‐male sex ratio in MS in Lithuania had a tendency to increase over the period. Females were affected from 1.5 to 2 times more often than males.ConclusionsIn 2020, the incidence rate of MS is estimated to reach 13 cases per 100,000 persons and females are expected to be diagnosed with MS two times more often than males.
Highlights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune demyelinating dis‐ ease of the central nervous system
The recent studies show that the latitude gradient is di‐ minishing and that the female‐to‐male sex ratio in MS patients has increased over the past decades (Wiese et al, 2017)
2.5 million people worldwide are affected with multiple sclerosis (MS) that is a common cause of serious phys‐ ical disability in young adults (Compston & Coles, 2008; Swingler & Compston, 1988)
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune demyelinating dis‐ ease of the central nervous system. 2.5 million people worldwide are affected with multiple sclerosis (MS) that is a common cause of serious phys‐ ical disability in young adults (Compston & Coles, 2008; Swingler & Compston, 1988). An absolute majority of researchers indicate that the incidence of MS is on a sharp rise (Grimaldi et al, 2007). This has been supported by studies carried out in Norway (Larsen, Kvaale, Riise, Nyland, & Aarli, 1984), Italy (Granieri et al, 2000), United Kingdom (Alonso, Jick, & Olek, 2007), Sweden (Svenningsson, Runmarker, Lycke, & Andersen, 1990), Finland (Kinnunen, 1984), and many other coun‐ tries. Improved conditions of incidence research on a population‐based level would offer new possibilities for more objective studying of MS incidence dynamics
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