Mortality of Multiple Sclerosis in Spain: Demonstration of a North-South Gradient

Vol. 24, No. 3, 2005

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 271 KB)

Original Paper

Mortality of Multiple Sclerosis in Spain: Demonstration of a North-South Gradient
Javier Llorca, Paula Guerrero, Dolores Prieto-Salceda, Trinidad Dierssen-Sotos

Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Cantabria School of Medicine, Santander, Spain

Address of Corresponding Author

Neuroepidemiology 2005;24:135-140 (DOI: 10.1159/000083296)

Key Words

Multiple sclerosis
Mortality
Geographical distribution
Spain

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the geographical distribution of multiple sclerosis in Spain from 1975 to 1998. Methods: Age-adjusted mortality rates by province were obtained by the indirect method using the whole Spanish population as the reference. Then, standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Results: For both men and women, provinces with SMRs higher than the mean tended to be in the northern third of Spain, whilst those with SMRs lower than the mean were mostly located in the southern half. A linear regression analysis showed a significant positive association between mortality and latitude. Conclusion: A north-south gradient in age-adjusted multiple sclerosis mortality exists in Spain.

Author Contacts

Prof. Javier Llorca
Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina
Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria s/n
ES-39011 Santander (Spain)
Tel. +34 942 201 993, Fax +34 942 201 903, E-Mail llorcaj@unican.es

Article Information

Published online: January 12, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 14

Medline Abstract (ID 15650319)

Download Citation

This journal is part of the first subject package of the Karger

Journal Archive Collection

Information on packages (PDF)
Free sample issues

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.