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Multiple Sclerosis
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research-article

Argentine Patagonia: prevalence and clinical features of multiple sclerosis

MO Melcon

Foundation for Neuroepidemiology Research, Junín, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

L Gold

Institute of Neurosciences, Buenos Aires, Argentina

A Carrá

MS Section, Hospital Británico, Buenos Aires, Argentina

F Cáceres

Institute of Neurosciences, Buenos Aires, Argentina

J Correale

Neuroimmunology Section, FLENI – Institute of Neurological Investigations, Buenos Aires, Argentina

E Cristiano

MS Section, Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires, Argentina

N Fernández Liguori

MS Section, Institute of Neurosciences, Buenos Aires, Argentina

O Garcea

Clinical Neuroimmunology, Hospital Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina

G Luetic

MS Section, Hospital Británico, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina

M Kremenchutzky

London Health Science Centre, University of Western Ontario, Canada, marcelo.kremenchutzky{at}lhsc.on.ca

for the Patagonia Multiple Sclerosis Research Project

There are few studies reporting multiple sclerosis prevalence rates in the Buenos Aires region, Argentina (latitude 34°S) (between 12–18.5/100 000 inhabitants), and no studies have been performed in the larger region between parallels 36° and 55°S. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence rates and clinical features of multiple sclerosis in residents of the Argentine Patagonia. Four cities from the region were selected for this study, giving a sample population of 417 666 inhabitants (~24% of the total Patagonia population). 1st March 2002 was determined as prevalence day. Patients were ascertained using multiple case-finding methods. The point prevalence rate was 17.2/100 000 (17.2 age-adjusted to the world population). Prevalence rates were higher for women than for men, 22.1 versus 12.2/100 000 inhabitants (21.4 versus 12.7 sex-adjusted to the world population). The study population was mainly of European descent and mestizoes. Clinical features were similar to those reported in other countries. This study shows that Argentine Patagonia is a medium-risk area with no south–north gradient between parallels 55° and 36°S. The Patagonia population shows recent internal migration that makes it difficult to determine whether the exposure to potential risk factors has been long enough to modify the disease incidence.

Key Words: Argentine Patagonia • clinical features • multiple sclerosis • prevalence

Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 14, No. 5, 656-662 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1352458507085801
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