Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Marco A Lana-Peixoto1, Elizabeth R C Frota, Gilberto B Campos
1CIEM MS Research Center, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. marco.lanapeixoto@gmail.com
Unlabelled:
Investigations on the prevalence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) around the world have yielded important clues on the interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. As Brazil is a huge country laid on many latitudes and inhabited by population with distinct ethnic backgrounds, it might be assumed that the frequency of MS varies in its different regions.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence rate of MS in Belo Horizonte, the capital of the State of Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil.
Methods:
We used six sources to draw up a provisional list of identified cases of MS. Only patients with diagnosis of clinically definite MS according to Poser Committee criteria were included.
Results:
The calculated crude MS prevalence was 18.1/100,000 inhabitants.
Conclusions:
The MS prevalence in Belo Horizonte is similar to that found in São Paulo and Botucatu, two other cities in southeastern Brazil with similar ethnic background.
