The prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the city of
Monreale, southern Italy were ascertained 10 years after a preliminar
y study in the same area. The study was undertaken in a population of
26,256 people. The patients were classified according to Poser's crite
ria. The prevalence of MS on 31 December 1991 was 72.4 per 100,000 pop
ulation. The incidence of MS for the period 1981-1991 was 3.3/100,000
per year. The mean period between onset and diagnosis of MS was 4.9 ye
ars for those patients found during this survey and 9.2 years for thos
e in the first study. This study shows an increase of MS prevalence in
Monreale city and a high incidence. The findings parallel the reducti
on of the lag time between onset and diagnosis.