Daiana Bezzini1, Monica Ulivelli2, Elisa Gualdani3, Matilde Razzanelli3, Fabio Ferretti2, Giuseppe Meucci4, Paolo Francesconi3, Mario A Battaglia5. 1. Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy. daiana.bezzini@unisi.it. 2. Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy. 3. Agenzia Regionale di Sanità della Toscana, 50141, Florence, Italy. 4. Unit of Neurology, USL 6, 57100, Livorno, Italy. 5. Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: An increase of prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported in several countries, especially taking into account a long-term evaluation. This increasing trend often reflects improved case identification and ascertainment due to the refinement of diagnostic criteria. The aim of this study was to update the prevalence rate of MS in Tuscany (central Italy) as of 2017, and to assess if there has been an increasing trend of prevalence in this Region considering a short period of analysis, from 2014 to 2017. METHODS: To capture prevalent cases, a case-finding algorithm based on administrative data, previously created and validated, was used. As data sources, we considered hospital discharge records, drug-dispensing records, disease-specific exemptions from copayment to health care, home and residential long-term care, and inhabitant registry. RESULTS: As of January 1, 2017, 7809 cases were identified, of which 69.4% were females and 30.6% were males. Considering temporal variation, an increasing trend was observed, with standardized rates rising from 189.2 in 2014 to 208.7 per 100,000 in 2017. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm that prevalence increases every year, probably mainly due to the difference between incidence and mortality, resulting in an increasing trend. Moreover, administrative data may accurately identify MS patients in a routinary way and monitor this cohort along disease care pathways.
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: An increase of prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported in several countries, especially taking into account a long-term evaluation. This increasing trend often reflects improved case identification and ascertainment due to the refinement of diagnostic criteria. The aim of this study was to update the prevalence rate of MS in Tuscany (central Italy) as of 2017, and to assess if there has been an increasing trend of prevalence in this Region considering a short period of analysis, from 2014 to 2017. METHODS: To capture prevalent cases, a case-finding algorithm based on administrative data, previously created and validated, was used. As data sources, we considered hospital discharge records, drug-dispensing records, disease-specific exemptions from copayment to health care, home and residential long-term care, and inhabitant registry. RESULTS: As of January 1, 2017, 7809 cases were identified, of which 69.4% were females and 30.6% were males. Considering temporal variation, an increasing trend was observed, with standardized rates rising from 189.2 in 2014 to 208.7 per 100,000 in 2017. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm that prevalence increases every year, probably mainly due to the difference between incidence and mortality, resulting in an increasing trend. Moreover, administrative data may accurately identify MSpatients in a routinary way and monitor this cohort along disease care pathways.
Authors: Anna Iljicsov; Dániel Milanovich; András Ajtay; Ferenc Oberfrank; Mónika Bálint; Balázs Dobi; Dániel Bereczki; Magdolna Simó Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-07-27 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Marcello Moccia; Vincenzo Brescia Morra; Roberta Lanzillo; Ilaria Loperto; Roberta Giordana; Maria Grazia Fumo; Martina Petruzzo; Nicola Capasso; Maria Triassi; Maria Pia Sormani; Raffaele Palladino Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-05-13 Impact factor: 3.390