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Trends in the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Greater Hobart, Tasmania: 1951 to 2009
Citation
Simpson, S and Pittas, F and van der Mei, I and Blizzard, L and Ponsonby, AL and Taylor, B, Trends in the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Greater Hobart, Tasmania: 1951 to 2009, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 82, (2) pp. 180-187. ISSN 0022-3050 (2011) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2010 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
DOI: doi:10.1136/jnnp.2010.215186
Abstract
Background Hobart, Tasmania has been the site of two
major studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) frequency, in
1951e1961 and 1971e1981. Since then, there have
been no studies of MS frequency in Hobart.
Methods Using a prevalent cohort of 226 cases in 2001
and 265 in 2009, the authors undertook a two-stage
survey of MS frequency in Hobart. Combined with the
published data from the two preceding studies, the
authors conducted a time-trend analysis of MS
epidemiology over 1951e2009.
Results The age-standardised prevalence in 2001 was
96.6/100 000, and 99.6/100 000 in 2009, a significant
increase from the 1961 prevalence of 32.5/100 000
(p<0.001). Female prevalence increased over each time
point; male prevalence increased between 1961 and
2001 but was unchanged thereafter. Incidence over
2001e2009 was 3.7/100 000, significantly increased
from the 1951e1961 incidence of 2.2/100 000
(p¼0.004), though the majority of this was between
1951e1961 and 1971e1981. Mortality fell by half from
2.4/100 000 in 1951e1959 to 1.0/100 000 in
2001e2009dthis decreased mortality and an older
cohort contribute to the increase in prevalence. Neither
prevalence (p¼0.48) nor incidence (p¼0.18) sex ratios
changed significantly between 1951 and 2009.
Conclusions Between 1951 and 2009, the agestandardised
prevalence of MS in Hobart increased
threefold, and the incidence nearly doubled. Part of the
increase in prevalence was due to an increased
longevity, decreased mortality and increased incidence.
Differences in patterns by birthplace may be explained by
the Australian assisted-migration programme of
1945e1981. These data do not demonstrate the strong
and significant changes in sex ratio observed elsewhere.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Epidemiology |
Research Field: | Epidemiology not elsewhere classified |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Disease distribution and transmission (incl. surveillance and response) |
UTAS Author: | Simpson, S (Dr Steve Simpson JR) |
UTAS Author: | Pittas, F (Dr Fotini Pittas) |
UTAS Author: | van der Mei, I (Professor Ingrid van der Mei) |
UTAS Author: | Blizzard, L (Professor Leigh Blizzard) |
UTAS Author: | Taylor, B (Professor Bruce Taylor) |
ID Code: | 66084 |
Year Published: | 2011 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 41 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2010-12-21 |
Last Modified: | 2012-04-27 |
Downloads: | 38 View Download Statistics |
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