Epidemiological aspects of multiple sclerosis: a comparative study of four centres in Europe

Epidemiological data of 931 patients with definite and probable multiple sclerosis in four areas in Europe (Groningen, Göttingen, Darmstadt and Baranya) were collected and compared. The same criteria and scoring methods were used. Clear differences between the areas appeared: a high percentage of severely disabled patients were encountered in the northern part (Groningen) and a high percentage of signs and symptoms related to supraspinal lesions in brainstem, cerebellum and hemispheres were found in the south east (Hungary). In Göttingen, in the central part of the total area, a relatively higher percentage of younger MS patients with minimal disability were found. However, it still has to be determined to which extent these differences are real or caused by information bias.