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Incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1985-2000

W T Mayr1, S J Pittock, R L McClelland

  • 1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Neurology
|November 26, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Epidemiologic studies in Olmsted County show that multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence and incidence rates have remained stable over the past 20 years, contrary to previous indications of an increase.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Long-term epidemiologic data from Olmsted County, MN, spanning nearly a century.
  • Previous observations suggested an increasing incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence and incidence trends in Olmsted County, MN.
  • To determine if MS rates have indeed increased over the past two decades.

Main Methods:

  • Case identification through Mayo Clinic's diagnostic index and the Rochester Epidemiology Program Project (1985-2000).
  • Inclusion criteria required residency for at least one year prior to MS diagnosis.
  • Age- and sex-adjusted statistical analysis to account for population shifts.

Main Results:

  • On December 1, 2000, the raw prevalence of MS was 177 per 100,000.
  • The raw incidence rate from 1985 to 2000 was 7.5 per 100,000 person-years.
  • Age- and sex-adjusted rates indicated stability over the study period.

Conclusions:

  • Adjusted prevalence and incidence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) have been stable for the past 20 years.
  • The data suggest that previously observed increases may have been influenced by population structure changes rather than true incidence rise.

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