The Accuracy of Prevalence Rates of Multiple Sclerosis: A Critical Review

Poser, Charles M.; Brinar, Vesna

doi:10.1159/000111576

Cited by 43 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 67 publications

(36 reference statements)

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“…On the other hand, if one takes into account that the in the present study we surveyed all major hospitals and all MRI services in the city, as well as the file of the State Health Agency, which provides free medication for all relapsing-remitting MS patients in the state, and additionally scrutinized the files of the MS societies in the city, one may be able to evaluate how careful we have been to catch all MS patients living in the city. The resulting data provide, for the first time in Latin America, the onset-adjusted prevalence rate, which is a more precise measure than crude prevalence 3 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unfortunately, however, many of these epidemiological studies lack consistent methodological features, such as strict diagnostic criteria, well defined study populations or geographical areas, and complete case ascertainment 3 . Such faults have rendered their results unreliable for comparisons with established data from other geographical areas 2,3 . In Latin America, surveys on the epidemiology of MS are still scanty and most of them exhibit these methodological limitations [4][5][6][7][8] .…”

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confidence: 99%

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The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Lana-Peixoto

Frota

Campos

et al. 2012

Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr.

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) whose etiology is still unknown. Epidemiological studies have suggested that the interaction between genetic susceptibility and a variety of environmental factors may play a key role accounting for the differences in its prevalence in distinct populations 1 .In the last few decades, a large number of studies have demonstrated the frequency of MS in all continents 2 . Unfortunately, however, many of these epidemiological studies lack consistent methodological features, such as strict diagnostic criteria, well defined study populations or geographical areas, and complete case ascertainment 3 . Such faults have rendered their results unreliable for comparisons with established data from other geographical areas 2,3 . In Latin America, surveys on the epidemiology of MS are still scanty and most of them exhibit these methodological limitations [4][5][6][7][8] .Interest in the study of MS in Brazil has markedly increased in the last few years. Yet, most investigations have focused on clinical description of hospital-based or MS Centers cohorts in different parts of the country [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] . Other studies have concentrated on the association with HLA 17,18 , the influence of ethnic factors on the phenomenological presentation of the disease 19 ; the neuropsychological aspects of the disease 20,21 and the impact of the disease on patients' quality of life 22 .Three papers on the prevalence of MS in well-defined geographical areas in Brazil have been so far published. The first study, in São Paulo city, considered 1990 as the prevalence year and showed a prevalence rate of 4.3 per 100,000 inhabitants 23 . A re-evaluation of this prevalence rate by the same senior author 24 took 1997 as the prevalence year and, through the use of aBstract Investigations on the prevalence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) around the world have yielded important clues on the interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. As Brazil is a huge country laid on many latitudes and inhabited by population with distinct ethnic backgrounds, it might be assumed that the frequency of MS varies in its different regions. Objective: To determine the prevalence rate of MS in Belo Horizonte, the capital of the State of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. Methods: We used six sources to draw up a provisional list of identified cases of MS. Only patients with diagnosis of clinically definite MS according to Poser Committee criteria were included. Results: The calculated crude MS prevalence was 18.1/100,000 inhabitants. Conclusions: The MS prevalence in Belo Horizonte is similar to that found in São Paulo and Botucatu, two other cities in southeastern Brazil with similar ethnic background.Key words: multiple sclerosis, prevalence, Belo Horizonte, Southeastern Brazil.resumo Estudos sobre as taxas de prevalência da esclerose múltipla (EM) no mundo têm fornecido importantes evidências do papel da inter-relaçã...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Lana-Peixoto

Frota

Campos

et al. 2012

Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr.

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“…Given the differences in prevalence rates among populations, it is likely that MS is influenced by an interaction between genetic and environmental factors 1 . In the last 20 years, a large number of studies on MS prevalence have been published, mostly in Europe and North America, revealing rates ranging from 60 to 200 per 100,000 inhabitants 2 .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Finkelsztejn

Lopes²,

Noal³

et al. 2014

Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr.

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the leading causes of neurologic deficits in young adults and can lead to physical, intellectual and emotional problems. Approved treatments are expensive and are among the 10 highest budgets of the Brazilian Health Ministry. Given the diverse prevalence of MS among Brazilian regions, it is important to determine prevalence rates across the country. Seven studies have assessed MS in Brazil and reported rates ranging from 15 cases to 18 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It has been hypothesized that this rate is even higher in southern Brazil, which has a high proportion of European heritage (mostly German and Italian) immigrants. Here, we report that the prevalence of MS in the city of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is 27.2 cases/100,000 inhabitants.

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“…Palais des Congrés de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, June [1][2][3][4]2011 The submission deadline for abstracts is January 10, 2011. Information on online abstract submission and the meeting can be found on the CMSC Annual Meeting website at http://annualmeeting.mscare.org.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 Respiratory impairment in neurologic or neuromuscular injuries or disorders such as MS includes 1) difficulty in ventilation due to inspiratory muscle weakness; 2) difficulty in coughing due to weakness of the expiratory muscles, upper-airway (glottic) muscle, and inspiratory muscles; and 3) risk of aspiration of fluids due to upper-airway muscle weakness. 3 Actual prevalence rates of respiratory problems in individuals with MS are not known 4 ; however, due to the prevalence of MS in the United States (approximately 400,000) and worldwide (2.5 million), a significant number of individuals may be at risk. 5 Very few studies address differences in respiratory impairment relative to type of MS, although Grasso et al 6 reported greater respiratory abnormalities in patients with cerebellar involvement.…”

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confidence: 99%

Pulmonary Dysfunction, Assessment, and Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis

Fry¹,

Chiara²

2010

International Journal of MS Care

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Pulmonary muscle weakness is a symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that begins early in the disease process, although it is often not recognized by health-care providers until later stages. Standard pulmonary function tests are not effective in detecting this reduction in pulmonary muscle strength. Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures are indirect measures of pulmonary muscle strength that are effective in detecting early changes. Once detected, pulmonary muscle weakness is effectively treated with pressure threshold load inspiratory and expiratory muscle exercises that can be implemented using inexpensive handheld pressure threshold load muscle training devices. These exercises require little time and are effective in patients with any level of disability. Int J MS Care. 2010;12:97-104. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system. Signs and symptoms and the accumulation of disability are due to demyelination and axonal injury.1 Multiple sclerosis affects not only muscles of the limbs and trunk but also muscles of respiration. Muscle weakness, changes in muscle tone, motor incoordination, and postural abnormalities all reduce pulmonary function. In the majority of patients with mild-to-moderate disability associated with MS, central motor conduction to the diaphragm muscle is abnormal.2 Respiratory impairment in neurologic or neuromuscular injuries or disorders such as MS includes 1) difficulty in ventilation due to inspiratory muscle weakness; 2) difficulty in coughing due to weakness of the expiratory muscles, upper-airway (glottic) muscle, and inspiratory muscles; and 3) risk of aspiration of fluids due to upper-airway muscle weakness. ; however, due to the prevalence of MS in the United States (approximately 400,000) and worldwide (2.5 million), a significant number of individuals may be at risk.5 Very few studies address differences in respiratory impairment relative to type of MS, although Grasso et al. 6 reported greater respiratory abnormalities in patients with cerebellar involvement.Patients with MS rarely complain of pulmonary dysfunction, although upon testing pulmonary dysfunction is commonly found.7 Pulmonary muscle strength is often reduced even in patients with mild disease. [8][9][10][11][12] Pulmonary compromise affects as many as 52% of recently diagnosed individuals with MS.13,14 Pulmonary muscle involvement occurring early in the course of the disease is due largely to reversible neuromuscular failure.10 Indirect measures of pulmonary muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP]

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The Accuracy of Prevalence Rates of Multiple Sclerosis: A Critical Review

Cited by 43 publications

References 67 publications

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Pulmonary Dysfunction, Assessment, and Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis

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