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Multiple sclerosis mortality and patterns of comorbidity in the United States from 1990 to 2001

Matthew D Redelings1, Lucie McCoy, Frank Sorvillo

  • 1Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA , USA. mredelings@ladhs.org

Neuroepidemiology
|December 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Multiple sclerosis mortality rates in the US increased from 1990-2001. This neurodegenerative disease showed higher mortality in White populations and was linked to pressure ulcers, UTIs, and pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease impacting cognitive and physical function, and life expectancy.
  • Population-based data on the mortality burden of MS in the United States is limited.
  • Understanding MS mortality trends and associated comorbidities is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate trends in multiple sclerosis mortality rates in the US from 1990 to 2001.
  • To examine key comorbidities associated with MS mortality during the study period.
  • To provide population-based insights into the mortality burden of MS.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of age-adjusted mortality rates for multiple sclerosis in the US population.
  • Matched odds ratio comparisons using randomly selected deaths from other conditions.
  • Examination of comorbidities (pressure ulcers, UTIs, pneumonia/influenza) on death certificates.

Main Results:

  • The overall age-adjusted MS mortality rate was 1.44 per 100,000 population.
  • MS mortality rates demonstrated an increasing trend throughout the 1990-2001 study period.
  • Mortality rates were highest in White individuals, followed by Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander populations, with over a tenfold difference between White and Asian/Pacific Islander groups.
  • Comorbidities like pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia/influenza were significantly more likely to be reported in MS deaths.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple sclerosis mortality rates in the US have been increasing.
  • Significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in MS mortality.
  • Certain comorbidities are strongly associated with increased mortality risk in individuals with MS.

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