Sini M Laakso1,2, Matias Viitala3,4, Hanna Kuusisto5,6, Taneli Sarasoja7, Päivi Hartikainen8,9, Sari Atula1,2, Pentti J Tienari1,2, Merja Soilu-Hänninen10,11. 1. Neurocenter, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. 2. Department of Neurosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 3. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. 4. StellarQ Ltd, Turku, Finland. 5. Department of Neurology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. 6. Department of Health and Social management, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. 7. Department of Neurology, Central Hospital of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland. 8. Department of Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. 9. Department of Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. 10. Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. 11. Department of Neurology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Finland is a high-risk multiple sclerosis (MS) region, but a national MS register has not existed until 2014. In this paper, we present the Finnish MS register variables and data collected by 31 December 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Numbers and data counts of MS patients in the register (ICD-10 code G35) are presented. The disease types and proportion of patients receiving disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) were analysed in five hospital districts with most complete data sets. MS prevalence in Finland was estimated using administrative hospital discharge data as an additional resource. RESULTS: There were a total of 8722 MS patients in the Finnish MS register by 31 December 2018 (71.5% females). Mean age at MS diagnosis was 38.7 years and peak prevalence was at age 50-54 years. Disease course was relapsing remitting (RRMS) in 66.7%, secondary progressive (SPMS) in 13.5%, and primary progressive (PPMS) in 7.9% of the 5365 MS patients in the selected districts with most complete data. A total of 66.0% of RRMS patients, 19.6% of SPMS patients and 9.9% of PPMS patients were receiving DMTs. By combining MS register data with databases of those hospitals that had not joined the register, the nationwide prevalence estimate was between 10 and 11 thousand patients (corresponding to crude prevalence 180-200/100 000). CONCLUSIONS: The Finnish MS register is currently used in 15/21 Finnish hospital districts. By register integration into the electronic patient files, the coverage of the register has increased to approximately 80% of the estimated Finnish MS population.
OBJECTIVES: Finland is a high-risk multiple sclerosis (MS) region, but a national MS register has not existed until 2014. In this paper, we present the Finnish MS register variables and data collected by 31 December 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Numbers and data counts of MS patients in the register (ICD-10 code G35) are presented. The disease types and proportion of patients receiving disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) were analysed in five hospital districts with most complete data sets. MS prevalence in Finland was estimated using administrative hospital discharge data as an additional resource. RESULTS: There were a total of 8722 MS patients in the Finnish MS register by 31 December 2018 (71.5% females). Mean age at MS diagnosis was 38.7 years and peak prevalence was at age 50-54 years. Disease course was relapsing remitting (RRMS) in 66.7%, secondary progressive (SPMS) in 13.5%, and primary progressive (PPMS) in 7.9% of the 5365 MS patients in the selected districts with most complete data. A total of 66.0% of RRMS patients, 19.6% of SPMS patients and 9.9% of PPMS patients were receiving DMTs. By combining MS register data with databases of those hospitals that had not joined the register, the nationwide prevalence estimate was between 10 and 11 thousand patients (corresponding to crude prevalence 180-200/100 000). CONCLUSIONS: The Finnish MS register is currently used in 15/21 Finnish hospital districts. By register integration into the electronic patient files, the coverage of the register has increased to approximately 80% of the estimated Finnish MS population.
Authors: Lisa-Marie Ohle; David Ellenberger; Peter Flachenecker; Tim Friede; Judith Haas; Kerstin Hellwig; Tina Parciak; Clemens Warnke; Friedemann Paul; Uwe K Zettl; Alexander Stahmann Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-06-25 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Ruggiero Seccia; Daniele Gammelli; Fabio Dominici; Silvia Romano; Anna Chiara Landi; Marco Salvetti; Andrea Tacchella; Andrea Zaccaria; Andrea Crisanti; Francesca Grassi; Laura Palagi Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-03-20 Impact factor: 3.240