Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belgrade, Yugoslavia

Objectives - To estimate the distribution of multiple sclerosis in the Belg rade Population. Methods - All persons who were affected and/or died from n aultiple sclerosis (Poser's criteria), with residence in the Belgrade regio n had been collected from January 1, 1985 to December 31. 1996. Prevalence was adjusted by direct method, using world population.Results - From 1985 t o 1996, 823 patients were suffering from multiple sclerosis. Sex ratio was 1:1.9. The mean age at onset was 32.2 +/-9.8 years. A relapsing-remitting c ourse of multiple sclerosis was reported in 50.7% patients, secondary progr essive in 36.4% patients, and primary progressive in 12.9% patients. On Dec ember 31, 1996, age-adjusted prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Belgrade w as 41.5/100,000, 28.2/100,000 for males, and 54. 1/100,000 for females. Dur ing the period studied, statistically highly significant increasing trend o f multiple sclerosis prevalence was observed (P = 0.0001). Conclusions - Ac cording to findings presented in this Study, Belgrade is an area with high prevalence of multiple sclerosis.