Multiple sclerosis prevalence in the United States commercially insured population

Abstract

MS prevalence rates from a representative commercially insured database were higher than or consistent with prior US estimates. For further accuracy improvement of US prevalence estimates, results should be confirmed after validation of MS identification algorithms, and should be expanded to other US populations, including the government-insured and the uninsured.

Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis in Austria

“…Incidence and prevalence rates in our study are within the range of a similar study from 2000 in Germany (Hein: 2000tm) and of several recent studies across Europe and the United States [9,10,11]. In contrast, earlier studies tend to report lower incidence and prevalence [1] figures [12].…”

Projecting the Adequacy of the Multiple Sclerosis Neurologist Workforce

“…Additionally, MS incidence and prevalence are not consistently reported or tracked in the U.S." 19 Currently used estimates are 350,000 to 500,000 individuals with MS in the United States 14 ; these estimates are likely low because a recently published study indicated more than 400,000 individuals with MS in the United States who have commercial insurance and did not include individuals with Medicare, Medicaid, or other forms of public insurance. 20 Based on our projections of the capacity for neurologist visits, the 350,000 to 500,000 MS prevalence estimate corresponds to four to six neurologist visits per patient per year.…”

The Impact of Disease-Modifying Therapy Access Barriers on People With Multiple Sclerosis: Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)

“…Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, affecting an estimated 450,000 to 550,000 people in the United States [1,2]. The financial burden accompanying MS is a central component of the disease experience, ranking second among all chronic conditions in direct costs behind congestive heart failure [3].…”