Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
10:46
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Multiple sclerosis incidence in the Faroe Islands 1986-2007
1Department of Medicine and Neuro-physiology Laboratory, Faroese National Hospital, Tórshavn, Faroe lslands. neuropoul@olivant.fo
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|December 18, 2009
Summary
The incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Faroe Islands from 1986-2007 was 4.5/100,000 annually. This rate is similar to Scandinavia but double the previous Faroese incidence, suggesting a leveling of past epidemics.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- The isolated Faroese population historically showed a high incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS), with early studies in 1945 reporting 10/100,000 annually.
- Speculation at the time linked the MS outbreak to British occupation forces present from 1940-1945.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in the Faroe Islands between 1986 and 2007.
- To compare current MS incidence with historical data and other Scandinavian regions.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal, prospective study documenting all MS diagnoses in the Faroe Islands from July 1, 1986, to July 1, 2007.
- MS diagnosis was confirmed through clinical observation, MRI, cerebrospinal fluid tests, and visual evoked potential testing.
Main Results:
- The annual incidence of MS in the Faroe Islands from 1986-2007 was 4.5/100,000.
- This incidence is comparable to rates observed in Scandinavia and Iceland.
- The 1986-2007 MS incidence is approximately double the calculated incidence of 2.7/100,000 for the period 1940-1986.
Conclusions:
- The current MS incidence in the Faroe Islands, a population with genetic homogeneity and potential dietary neuro-toxic exposure, aligns with other high-risk regions.
- Apparent past epidemics of MS in the Faroe Islands seem to have stabilized and were not evident in the recent study period.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:08Prevalence and Incidence
In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
01:18Factors Affecting Illness
When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
01:26Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...