Significantly increasing multiple sclerosis prevalence in Australia from 2010 to 2021.
Mult Scler
; : 13524585241265890, 2024 Aug 05.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39104180
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence is increasing globally.OBJECTIVES:
To determine whether increased prevalence is continuing within Australia using our validated prescription-based ascertainment method.METHODS:
We used methods employed in our 2010 and 2017 prevalence estimates. Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) prescriptions were extracted from Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data for January-December 2021. DMT penetrance was calculated using data from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study. We divided the total number of monthly prescriptions by 12 or 2 (except alemtuzumab), adjusted for DMT penetrance and Australian population estimates. Prevalences in Australian states/territories were age-standardised. 2021 prevalence estimates were compared with 2010 and 2017 prevalence estimates using Poisson regression.RESULTS:
Number of people with MS in Australia in 2021 was 33,335; an increase of 7728 from 2017 (30.2%) and 12,092 from 2010 (56.6%) and increasing at a faster rate than population change (+10.1%, +14.1%). Age-standardised prevalence was 136.1/100,000 (increased from 103.7/100,000 in 2017). The previously demonstrated positive latitudinal gradient in 2010 and 2017 persisted in 2021, with Tasmania (southernmost state) having the highest prevalence (age-standardised 203.5/100,000) while northernmost states had the lowest.CONCLUSIONS:
In line with global trends, MS prevalence is escalating in Australia, particularly in higher-latitude states. MS prevention is crucial to halt this disturbing trend.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mult Scler
Assunto da revista:
NEUROLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Austrália