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The prevalence and clinical characteristics of MS in northern Japan.
- Source :
-
Journal of the neurological sciences [J Neurol Sci] 2003 Jul 15; Vol. 211 (1-2), pp. 49-53. - Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- In Japan, there is a low prevalence rate (PR) of multiple sclerosis (MS; 0.8-4.0/100,000) but a relatively high frequency of "optic-spinal form" MS (OS-MS). There have been no intensive epidemiologic frequency studies, however, in over 30 years. We performed a province-wide prevalence study of MS in the Tokachi province of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, and compared the observed clinical features with other populations in Japan and Western countries. Prevalence was determined on March 31, 2001. The primary sources for the case ascertainment were 13 hospitals that treated patients with neurologic diseases including MS in Tokachi. Patients were classified according to Poser's criteria. The prevalence rate of clinically definite or laboratory-supported definite MS (LSDMS) was 8.57 per 100,000 [31/361,726; male/female ratio=1:2.9, and age at onset=29.1+/-14.2 (mean+/-SD) years]. Out of the 31 patients, 5 (16%) were classified as OS-MS. The prevalence rate of MS in the Tokachi province was the highest reported in Orientals to date, although still low in comparison with Western communities at a similar latitude. In contrast to the previous reports in Japan, there was a relatively low frequency of OS-MS in Hokkaido.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Age of Onset
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Brain Diseases complications
Brain Diseases diagnosis
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disability Evaluation
Female
Humans
Incidence
Japan epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis classification
Prevalence
Sex Distribution
Multiple Sclerosis epidemiology
Multiple Sclerosis physiopathology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0022-510X
- Volume :
- 211
- Issue :
- 1-2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of the neurological sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 12767497
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-510x(03)00033-9