Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis IN Santiago de Compostela (Spain).

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the frequency and demographic characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Council of Santiago de Compostela (SPAIN). MATERIAL & METHODS: The patients diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald 2010 diagnostic criteria were identified within the population of the District of Santiago de Compostela. Several sources were used (records and databases from Hospital, General Practitioners, Private Clinics and the MS Patients Association). Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the electronic files. RESULTS: The incidence of MS between 2010-2015 was 8/100,000/year (95% CI: 6-10) and the prevalence on December 31st, 2015 was 152/100,000 (95% CI: 127-176). The age-standardized prevalence (using the European Standard Population 2013) was 137 (95% CI: 114-159) and the incidence of 7 (95% CI: 2-12). The ratio female: male was 1.84, the mean age at the first symptom was 32.23 years, the diagnosis was delayed 3.12 years and the mean EDSS was 2.82. 71.17% had relapsing-remitting MS, 16.55% secondary progressive MS, 7.59% primary progressive MS and 0.69% progressive relapsing MS. A disease-modifying treatment was established in 62.76% of patients in a mean of 1.96 years after the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The north-west of Spain is a high risk area for MS, with frequencies similar to other Atlantic regions and higher than the rest of the country.