RESUMO
Background The worldwide incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is estimated at 0.5-10 cases per 100,000 person-years and is probably increasing. In 2014, a previous study estimated the incidence of multiple sclerosis in Uruguay at 1.2 cases per 100.000 person-years. Objectives We conducted an observational, prospective, population-based study to determine MS incidence from diagnosis in Uruguay. Methods The population studied included people older than 18 years of age, who were living in Uruguay between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2021. The diagnosis was based on 2017 McDonald criteria. Multiple data sources were employed including neurologists, magnetic resonance imaging centers, laboratories performing oligoclonal band testing, neurophysiology laboratories, neurorehabilitation centers, the institution Fondo Nacional de Recursos, and the MS Patients' Association of Uruguay (EMUR). The capture-recapture method was used to estimate incidence. Results 155 new MS cases were confirmed after review. The median age was 35 (range 18-62). Thirteen patients (8.38%) were diagnosed with late onset MS. The crude incidence rate was 2.89 cases per 100,000 person-years, 3.95 among female and 1.72 among male patients. The incidence rate estimated using the capture-recapture method was 3.18 (95% CI 3.02-3.34). Conclusions According to the Atlas of MS, Uruguay has a low incidence rate (2.0-3.99), even though it is one of the highest in Latin America. Our country aligns with the global trend of increasing incidence. Age and sex distribution were similar to other studies, with a high incidence of patients with late onset multiple sclerosis. The capture-recapture method confirms the exhaustivity of our investigation.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cuenca, a city in the Andean Region of southern Ecuador, has 591,996 inhabitants. A decade-old study showed the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Cuenca was 0.75 cases per 100,000 inhabitants but no new epidemiological studies in this city have been performed since then. The aim of this study, conducted in 2016, was to update the prevalence records of multiple sclerosis in Cuenca. METHODS: We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study in which we investigated prevalence rates in November of 2016. We estimated the prevalence of multiple sclerosis by cross-matching registries from the two neurological referral hospitals in Cuenca. RESULTS: A total of 23 records were obtained from the two sources. The estimated prevalence was 3.88 per 100,000 inhabitants (95% confidence interval: 3.83-3.94). The disease was predominant among women (60%). The mean age of this cohort was 37 years (standard deviation ±12.4). Of the cases, 78% were relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 2.5. CONCLUSIONS: This study is an update to the first study conducted 10 years ago and shows the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Cuenca has increased. However, the prevalence of multiple sclerosis is still low and very similar to that reported in neighbouring countries.