Spatial Analysis of Global Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis Suggests Need for an Updated Prevalence Scale
Author
Source
Multiple Sclerosis International
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-02-16
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with an unknown aetiology.
MS has a geographic pattern of prevalence with high prevalence rates between 45 degrees and 65 degrees north.
In much of the northern hemisphere, there exists a prevalence gradient, with increasing prevalence from south to north.
While genetics may partially explain the latitudinal gradient, it is not strong enough to exclude exogenous variables.
Kurtzke initially came up with a three-zone scale for low, medium, and high prevalence zones.
He defined high as 30 or more per 100,000, medium as 5–29 per 100,000, and low as less than 5 per 100,000.
In this study, 131 geographic datasets (geocases) were spatially analyzed to determine whether the existing global prevalence scale needed to be updated.
The mean prevalence rate was 67.83/100,000 with rates ranging from 350/100,000 to 0/100,000.
The results of this study suggest that the commonly referenced scale for global MS prevalence needs to be updated with added zones to reflect significantly higher prevalence rates in some areas of the world.
We suggest a five-zone scale: very high (170–350), high (70–170), medium (38–70), low (13–38), and very low (0–13).
American Psychological Association (APA)
Wade, Brett J.. 2014. Spatial Analysis of Global Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis Suggests Need for an Updated Prevalence Scale. Multiple Sclerosis International،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1046591
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Wade, Brett J.. Spatial Analysis of Global Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis Suggests Need for an Updated Prevalence Scale. Multiple Sclerosis International No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1046591
American Medical Association (AMA)
Wade, Brett J.. Spatial Analysis of Global Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis Suggests Need for an Updated Prevalence Scale. Multiple Sclerosis International. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1046591
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1046591