EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PROGNOSIS OF ACUTE MYELITIS IN SOUTHERN FINLAND

In this study we analyzed all acute adult (>15 years) myelitis cases i n the province of Uusimaa in Southern Finland during the years 1981-19 93. Only cases with acute infectious myelitis were included. Demyelina ting diseases, and medullopaties due to degeneration, traumatic, toxic , hereditary, nutritional or metabolic causes were excluded. A total o f 45 patients fulfilled the criteria. The mean incidence was 3.5 cases /million inhabitants/year. The mean latency time from the initial infe ction to the beginning of neurological symptoms was 11 days. Motor par aparesis was found in 62% and tetraparesis in 13%. Sensory symptoms we re found in 82% and bowel disturbances were experienced by 71% of pati ents. Normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocytes were seen in 18% of patients, and CSF protein was elevated in 70% of patients. Case fatali ty was 6.7%. Permanent care in hospital needed by 13% of patients, and after 24 months 88% were ambulatory. Prognosis is quite good in myeli tis, and normal CSF leukocytes do not exclude myelitis. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science B.V.