Neuroepidemiology
Original Paper
Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in AustriaResults of a Nationwide Survey aDepartment of Neurology, General Hospital, St. Poelten, bInstitute of Biostatistics and Documentation, Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck, cSchering Wien GesmbH, Vienna, dDepartment of Neurology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz; e2nd Department of Neurology, Neurological Hospital ‘Rosenhuegel’, Vienna, and fDepartment of Neurology, University of Vienna, Austria
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: August 30, 2002
Issue release date: September – October
Number of Print Pages: 9
Number of Figures: 2
Number of Tables: 2
ISSN: 0251-5350 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0208 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/NED
Abstract
The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Austria is almost unknown. We evaluated the prevalence of MS in Austria using data from questionnaires completed by neurologists, comprising information on a total of 1,006 MS patients who attended 30 out-patient specialized clinics nationwide. Additional data were collected from 2,414 MS patients, who received questionnaires from the Austrian MS Society or their doctor. A novel extrapolation model, based on frequencies of patients visits at MS clinics, was used to estimate the overall prevalence of MS. Considering either disability or the course of the disease, the prevalence of MS patients in Austria was estimated to be 98.5 per 100,000 people. The prevalence of MS in Austria was found to be similar to that of other countries in Central Europe. Epidemiological studies, such as this, provide a unique source of data from which key features of a disease and its impact on patients may be examined.
© 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: August 30, 2002
Issue release date: September – October
Number of Print Pages: 9
Number of Figures: 2
Number of Tables: 2
ISSN: 0251-5350 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0208 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/NED
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