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J Mallada-Frechín

Publications and source records attributed to J Mallada-Frechín.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Multiple sclerosis incidence in the Alcoi Health district. 12-year-long study (1986-1997)].

INTRODUCTION: To date, epidemiological studies on multiple sclerosis in Spain have been basically prevalence studies, and the data on incidence recorded have been the result of different methodologies, with no definition of the criteria for inclusion. OBJECTIVE: To carry out a study of incidence with prospective collection/review of cases over a prolonged period of time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over 12 years, between 1 March 1986 and 31 December 1997, we collected data prospectively for patients with a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The year of incidence was considered to be when the patient fulfilled clinical criteria for diagnosis of the disease. RESULTS: On 31 December 1997 in the Alcoi Health District there were 54 patients with clinically defined multiple sclerosis (a prevalence of 41.28 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). Of these, 45 patients were diagnosed during the period studied, with an average incidence of 2.82 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Only 15 patients were confirmed before 1986. CONCLUSIONS: This is the most prolonged study of the incidence of multiple sclerosis carried out in Spain. The figures found for incidence are in contrast to those found in previous years for prevalence and incidence. Analysis of the data suggests that the incidence of multiple sclerosis in the Alcoi district has changed and has increased since the second half of the 1980s.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the Alcoi Health district].

INTRODUCTION: The epidemiological studies done in Spain in recent years show higher figures for the prevalence of multiple sclerosis than before. Spain is therefore now in the area with a high risk of contracting the disease. OBJECTIVE: We have made a new study to confirm the current prevalence of the disorder in the Alcoi Health District. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1 March 1986 and the prevalence day, 31 December 1997 we recorded the patients with definite or probable multiple sclerosis, as defined on Poser's criteria, after intensive fieldwork and reevaluation of all possible patients by a neurologist from the Neurology Unit. On the prevalence day there were 130,786 inhabitants in the district. RESULTS: On the prevalence day we found 54 patients with definite multiple sclerosis and no patient with probable multiple sclerosis. The rate of prevalence was 41.28 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI: 31-53.6). During the study we counted an incidence of 45 cases with an average rate of 2.82 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. We also describe the clinical characteristics of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of prevalence found is much higher than that described for the district in studies using similar methodology. This increase, together with the discrepancy between the incidence found and the prevalence, makes us consider that possibly the prevalence has increased in recent years.

Adolescent↗