Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Gypsies and Bulgarians

There are occasional reports about the low prevalence of multiple sclerosis among Gypsies. To verify these reports of low prevalence of multiple sclerosis among Gypsies compared to the white population in Bulgaria, an epidemiological study was conducted in two small regions of Bulgaria. All patients with clinically or laboratory-supported, definite multiple sclerosis according to Poser's criteria were personally interviewed and examined. The study was begun on January 1, 1997 and March 31, 1998 was selected as prevalence day. For the white population, the prevalence ratio of multiple sclerosis per 100,000 population was 44.9 in the first region and 44.4 in the second. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Gypsies was found to be 19.1/100,000 in the first region and 18.4 in the second. It is concluded that multiple sclerosis is less common in Gypsies than in whites living in the same areas.