[Multiple sclerosis mortality 1973-1987 in Baden-Württemberg in comparison with socio-geographical variables]

Mortality due to MS in the State of Baden-Württemberg (south-west Germany) during the years 1973-1987 was studied in its geographical distribution for a possible association with selected sociogeographic indices for that period. The overall rate for Baden-Württemberg (1.3/100,000) was lower than in the neighbouring state of Hesse (1.5/100,000). A relative excess of cases was found in the highland region of the Swabian Alps. In multivariate analysis, correlations were found with the characteristics "forest area/inhabitant", "oat cultivation" and "concentration of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the drinking water", whereas climate and height above sea-level were not associated. These findings require replication elsewhere.