| Popis: |
Background: Northeast Istria comprises the towns of Buzet, Labin, Pazin and belonging communes with an overall resident population of 52,428 inhabitans in 1991. A previous study indicated an inhomogenous distributon of the prevalence and/or incidence inside this area as well as a lack of MS among males. Objective: To update morbidity estimates in the named area and to verify the reasons for a lack of male MS. Methods: The ascertainment was performed on a full 50-year period, from 1948 to 1999 and multiple case sources were screened. The clinical data of MS patients were recorded in the European database for multiple sclerosis (EDMUS). Verified, clinically definite and laboratory supported definite cases of MS, classified according to the Poser criteria, were considered. Results: 39 subjects (36 women and 3 men) fulfilled the criteria. On December 31, 1997, the crude prevalencee rate was 53,3 per 100,000 inhabitans, and the onset-adjusted crude prevalence estimated on March 31, 1991, and March 31, 1981, were respectively 43,9 and 34,5 per 100,000 inhabitans. The mean annual incidence during the period 1980-1999 (19 woman and 1 man) was 1,9 per 100,000 inhabitans. Inside the area the distribution of MS patients was inhomogeneous being the highest in Pazin: prevalence 85,3 and mean annual incidence 2,9. Conclusions: This study shows an increase of MS prevalence in northeast Istria and a high incidence. In Istria MS among males may have an atypical manifestation and course and therefore misdiagnosed. |
