PREVALENCE OF MS IN SOUTH ESTONIA - EVIDENCE OF A NEW BORDER OF THE FENNOSCANDIAN FOCUS

A population-based study of MS was carried out in South Estonia in 198 8-1989. Cases were identified from the Tartu University Hospital archi ves where all MS cases in South Estonia are diagnosed, from all neurol ogists and nursing homes of the region, and from the local Multiple Sc lerosis Society. The prevalence in South Estonia is 51 per 100,000, fo r native Estonians 55, for Russians 29, for other nationalities 42 per 100,000. The prevalence rate in different counties was demonstrated a s low as 31 per 100,000 in the County of Tartu, to 72 per 100,000 in P olva County; 55% of patients have retired because of their handicap an d only 2 patients (1%) were living in nursing homes.