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Multiple sclerosis in the Shetland Islands: an update.
S D Cook1, J MacDonald, W Tapp
1Neurology Service, VA Medical Center, East Orange, NJ 07019.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|February 1, 1988
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence in the Shetland Islands significantly declined from 1951-1968. However, MS prevalence and population characteristics remained stable since 1974, with a slight trend towards an older MS demographic.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease with variable geographic incidence.
- Previous studies have documented MS patterns in specific populations, including island communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update and analyze the annual incidence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Shetland Islands from 1938 to 1986.
- To assess changes in MS prevalence, age-specific prevalence, duration, and mean age of the affected population since 1974.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of annual incidence rates of MS in the Shetland Islands.
- Comparison of current data with previous survey findings from 1974.
Main Results:
- A significant decline in MS incidence was observed, commencing between 1951 and 1968.
- No significant changes were detected in MS prevalence, age-specific prevalence, or disease duration.
- A trend towards an older mean age within the MS population was noted.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a potential decrease in new multiple sclerosis diagnoses in the Shetland Islands over the latter half of the 20th century.
- MS population characteristics, such as prevalence and duration, appear to be stable, though the affected individuals are aging.