The incidence of the multiple sclerosis in Italy: 2011-2015

There are very few scientific papers (and only on de-limited areas) about incidence and prevalence of the multiple sclerosis (MS) in Italy. We analysed 2011-2015 national data by correlating INPS database with ISTAT data. Materials: we assessed 10,725 MS invalids. We compared geographical distribution of MS patients with the Italian census.

We found a MS mean incidence equal to 3.54 patients every 100,000 Italian residents. The female MS mean incidence was 4.52 versus the male mean incidence of 2.52 (p<0.001). MS incidence is growing up from 2011 to 2015. Incidence values, for 100,000 inhabitants, become from 2.8 to 4.0 (female from 3.6 to 5.2 and male from 1.9 to 2.7). During 2011-2015 period, the MS patients median age decreases of two years (p<0.01).

We couldn't calculate the MS prevalence because we do not have an official database managed by a national authority. This work wishes to be a stimulus to investigate more deeply and to promote public health in the care of the multiple sclerosis patients. We propose our work to realize a base more appropriate health planning on the national and regional territories for MS patients care.