The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in the Isle of Man: 2006-2011.
BACKGROUND
We sought to determine the prevalence of MS on the Isle of Man in 2006 and 2011, and the incidence and mortality rates over this interval.


METHODS
Cases were identified by hospital medical record review, General Practitioners and the local MS Society. The significance of the change in prevalence over time and the significance of differences in frequencies by sex and place of birth were assessed by Poisson regression.


RESULTS
The 2006 prevalence was 153.64 per 100,000 persons and the 2011 prevalence was 179.89. The prevalence was higher among females and persons born in the Isle of Man at both time points. The 2006-2011 incidence rate was 6.86 per 100,000 person-years, much higher among females and persons born in the Isle of Man. The prevalence sex ratios in 2006 and 2011, 2.77 and 2.59, respectively, and the incidence sex ratio, 2.19, are similar to others found in the region. The mortality rate over the study period was 2.84 per 100,000 person-years, this solely among persons born overseas.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study of MS epidemiology in the Isle of Man, finding this area to be of high prevalence and to have one of the highest incidence rates in the UK region.
['Simpson|S|S|http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6521-3056', 'Mina|S|S|', 'Morris|H|H|', 'Mahendran|S|S|', 'Taylor|B|B|', 'Boggild|M|M|']
D000328:Adult D000367:Age Factors D000368:Aged D015331:Cohort Studies D004185:Disability Evaluation D005260:Female D006801:Humans D015994:Incidence D008136:Longevity D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009103:Multiple Sclerosis D016012:Poisson Distribution D015995:Prevalence D011379:Prognosis D012737:Sex Factors D006113:United Kingdom
epidemiology Isle of Man prevalence mortality incidence rate