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Multiple sclerosis in Vest-Agder county, Norway

2010; Wiley; Volume: 123; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1600-0404.2010.01411.x

1600-0404

Anita Vatne, Åse Mygland, Unn Ljøstad,

Vector-borne infectious diseases

To examine multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence, rate of immunomodulatory treatment and frequency of Borrelia burgordorferi (Bb) antibodies in Vest-Agder, Norway.Patients in the period 1996-2006 who met the Poser criteria for definitive or probable MS were included. Clinical and demographical data, and presence of Bb antibodies were registered.A total of 295 patients were identified. The crude prevalence was 180 per 100,000 population (95% CI=160.9-218.0), age-adjusted prevalence was 186 per 100,000 population (95% CI=166.3-225.3). The age-adjusted incidence rates were 7.5 and 8.0 for 1996-2000 and 2001-2006, respectively. Thirty-eight per cent were treated with immunomodulatory agents when compared to 28% in the rest of the country. Bb serum antibodies were detected in 7% of patients with MS.Vest-Agder county has the highest prevalence of MS reported in Norway, and a high treatment rate. Bb antibodies were not more prevalent than in healthy individuals.