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The incidence and prevalence of thyroid disease do not differ in the multiple sclerosis and general populations: a

Ruth Ann Marrie1, Bo Nancy Yu, Stella Leung

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3A 1R9, Canada. rmarrie@hsc.mb.ca

Neuroepidemiology
|August 15, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AIT) risk is similar in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and the general population. Administrative data effectively tracks AIT in MS surveillance.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Inconsistent findings exist regarding autoimmune thyroid disease (AIT) risk in multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • Need to validate administrative case definitions for AIT surveillance in MS populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Validate administrative case definitions for AIT surveillance in MS.
  • Estimate AIT incidence and prevalence in MS patients compared to the general population.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized administrative health data for 4,192 MS patients and 20,940 matched controls.
  • Developed and validated AIT case definitions using ICD codes and prescription claims against medical records.
  • Calculated age-adjusted incidence and prevalence of AIT.

Main Results:

  • Administrative AIT case definition achieved 73.5% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity.
  • 2005 AIT prevalence was 9.51% in MS vs. 8.56% in the general population.
  • AIT incidence and prevalence showed no significant difference between MS and general populations.

Conclusions:

  • Administrative data is suitable for AIT surveillance in MS.
  • MS and general populations exhibit similar incidence and prevalence of AIT.
  • AIT prevalence increased in both populations from 1996 to 2005.

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