OBJECTIVE: To compare the monthly distribution of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients' births with that of the Sicilian population. BACKGROUND: Studies on the association between season of birth and risk of MS are scanty and controversial. DESIGN AND METHODS: Archives of the Institute of Neuropsychiatry of the Universities of Palermo and Catania were searched up to 1995 for definite MS patients (McDonald & Halliday criteria). The monthly distribution of MS patients' births (N= 965) was compared with that of the Sicilian population (N= 5,608,307). RESULTS: The distribution of births among MS patients compared with the general population was not different when tested by the chi2 statistic (P> 0.25). The Hewitt's non-parametric test for seasonality showed an excess of births between June and November among MS patients (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: A different pattern of MS patients' births is observed in Sicily and in Northern countries.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the monthly distribution of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients' births with that of the Sicilian population. BACKGROUND: Studies on the association between season of birth and risk of MS are scanty and controversial. DESIGN AND METHODS: Archives of the Institute of Neuropsychiatry of the Universities of Palermo and Catania were searched up to 1995 for definite MSpatients (McDonald & Halliday criteria). The monthly distribution of MSpatients' births (N= 965) was compared with that of the Sicilian population (N= 5,608,307). RESULTS: The distribution of births among MSpatients compared with the general population was not different when tested by the chi2 statistic (P> 0.25). The Hewitt's non-parametric test for seasonality showed an excess of births between June and November among MSpatients (P=0.004). CONCLUSION: A different pattern of MSpatients' births is observed in Sicily and in Northern countries.
Authors: Stefano Sotgiu; M Pugliatti; Maria A Sotgiu; Maria L Fois; Giannina Arru; Alessandra Sanna; Giulio Rosati Journal: J Neurol Date: 2005-07-20 Impact factor: 6.682
Authors: Cristina Menni; Walter E Lowell; Joan Bentzen; Roberto Bergamaschi; Filippo Martinelli Boneschi; Vittorio Martinelli; Luisa Bernardinelli; Egon Stenager; George E Davis; Luisa Foco Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2012-02-24 Impact factor: 3.390