Multiple sclerosis in Finland 2018—Data from the national register

Abstract

Objectives:Finland is a high-risk multiple sclerosis (MS) region, but a national MS register has not existed until 2014. In this paper, we present the Finnish MS register variables and data collected by 31 December 2018. Materials and Methods:Numbers and data counts of MS patients in the register (ICD-10 code G35) are presented. The disease types and proportion of patients receiving disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) were analysed in five hospital districts with most complete data sets. MS prevalence in Finland was estimated using administrative hospital discharge data as an additional resource.Results: There were a total of 8722 MS patients in the Finnish MS register by 31December 2018 (71.5% females). Mean age at MS diagnosis was 38.7 years and peak prevalence was at age 50-54 years. Disease course was relapsing remitting (RRMS) in 66.7%, secondary progressive (SPMS) in 13.5%, and primary progressive (PPMS) in 7.9% of the 5365 MS patients in the selected districts with most complete data. A total of 66.0% of RRMS patients, 19.6% of SPMS patients and 9.9% of PPMS patients were receiving DMTs. By combining MS register data with databases of those hospitals that had not joined the register, the nationwide prevalence estimate was between 10 and 11 thousand patients (corresponding to crude prevalence 180-200/100 000). Conclusions:The Finnish MS register is currently used in 15/21 Finnish hospital districts. By register integration into the electronic patient files, the coverage of the register has increased to approximately 80% of the estimated Finnish MS population.

Multiple sclerosis prevalence in 2000 and 2010 in Western Finland

“…The rates in a large region in Western Finland as shown here in 2010 corroborate the concurrent rates in other Scandinavian countries, such as the nationwide prevalence 188.9/10 5 reported in 2008 in Sweden, crude nationwide prevalence 208/10 5 in 2013 in Norway, 154.5 /10 5 in 2005 in Denmark, and 167.1/10 5 in 2007 in Iceland . Although no exact nationwide prevalence estimation exists in Finland, results here and in a recent report based on a national register information point at a globally high nationwide prevalence of 180‐200/10 5 …”

“…The ten‐year increase in MS age‐standardized prevalence in Western Finland showed a statistically significant 32% increase from 2000 to 2010. The 192/10 5 age‐standardized prevalence in 2010 is high in global comparison and corresponds to prevalence in other Nordic areas and the recent estimate in Finland . Increase concerned both sexes, and the female versus male ratio varied only slightly from 2.0 to 2.2.…”

“…Finland is located between latitudes 60° and 70°N, and longitudes 20° and 32°E, and it is one of the world's northernmost countries. Epidemiological data updated in 2016 showed a high nationwide MS crude prevalence estimate of 180‐200/10 5 and east‐west gradient . Incidence trends from 1981 to 2010 in the Province of Western Finland in Tampere University Hospital District showed a significant increase among women and opposite trends in increasing relapsing‐remitting onset MS (RRMS) and decreasing primary progressive (PPMS) .…”

“…Epidemiological data updated in 2016 showed a high nationwide MS crude prevalence estimate of 180-200/10 5 and east-west gradient. 7,8 Incidence trends from 1981 to 2010 in the Province of Western Finland in Tampere University Hospital District showed a significant increase among women and opposite trends in increasing relapsing-remitting onset MS (RRMS) and decreasing primary progressive (PPMS). 9 These trends differed from a tandem increase in RRMS and PPMS reported in a Finnish MS cohort from 1979 to 1993.…”

Cost Assessment Modelling of Treatments for Highly Active Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

“…Finland is a high-risk MS region with a prevalence of 280/100,000 in southwest parts of the country [13], and a nationwide prevalence estimate between 10,000 and 11,000 patients, corresponding to a crude prevalence of 180-200/100,000 [14]. The estimated annual economic burden of MS in Finland using a bottom-up approach of costing was €46,994 per patient on average and increasing from €10,835 to €109,901 in parallel with advancing disability [15].…”