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Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
Multiple sclerosis in Finland 2018-Data from the national register
Sini M Laakso1,2, Matias Viitala3,4, Hanna Kuusisto5,6
1Neurocenter, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Objectives:
Finland is a high-risk multiple sclerosis (MS) region, but a national MS register has not existed until 2014. In this paper, we present the Finnish MS register variables and data collected by 31 December 2018.
Materials And Methods:
Numbers and data counts of MS patients in the register (ICD-10 code G35) are presented. The disease types and proportion of patients receiving disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) were analysed in five hospital districts with most complete data sets. MS prevalence in Finland was estimated using administrative hospital discharge data as an additional resource.
Results:
There were a total of 8722 MS patients in the Finnish MS register by 31 December 2018 (71.5% females). Mean age at MS diagnosis was 38.7 years and peak prevalence was at age 50-54 years. Disease course was relapsing remitting (RRMS) in 66.7%, secondary progressive (SPMS) in 13.5%, and primary progressive (PPMS) in 7.9% of the 5365 MS patients in the selected districts with most complete data. A total of 66.0% of RRMS patients, 19.6% of SPMS patients and 9.9% of PPMS patients were receiving DMTs. By combining MS register data with databases of those hospitals that had not joined the register, the nationwide prevalence estimate was between 10 and 11 thousand patients (corresponding to crude prevalence 180-200/100 000).
Conclusions:
The Finnish MS register is currently used in 15/21 Finnish hospital districts. By register integration into the electronic patient files, the coverage of the register has increased to approximately 80% of the estimated Finnish MS population.
Insights
The Finnish Multiple Sclerosis (MS) register, established in 2014, now includes over 8,700 patients. Data reveals key demographics, disease types, and treatment patterns for MS in Finland.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Finland, a high-risk region for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), lacked a national MS registry until 2014.
- Establishing a comprehensive national registry is crucial for understanding MS epidemiology and patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the variables and initial data collected by the Finnish MS register up to December 31, 2018.
- To analyze the characteristics of MS patients, including disease types and treatment modalities.
- To estimate the national prevalence of MS in Finland.
Main Methods:
- Data compilation from the Finnish MS register (ICD-10 code G35) for patients diagnosed by December 31, 2018.
- Analysis of disease types and Disease-Modifying Treatment (DMT) proportions in selected hospital districts.
- Estimation of MS prevalence using register data combined with administrative hospital discharge data.
Main Results:
- The Finnish MS register contained 8,722 patients by December 31, 2018, with 71.5% females. Mean age at diagnosis was 38.7 years.
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was the most common type (66.7%), with 66.0% of RRMS patients receiving DMTs.
- Nationwide MS prevalence was estimated between 180-200 per 100,000 population.
Conclusions:
- The Finnish MS register is operational in 15 out of 21 hospital districts.
- Integration with electronic patient files is increasing register coverage, approaching 80% of the estimated Finnish MS population.
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