Introduction. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, which can lead to standing disability in young adults. Investigation of MS epidemiology in the Republic of Moldova shows interest, taking into account the fact that the natural evolution of the disease is still not affected by use of the disease modifying drugs. Material and methods. The study included patients diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald criteria 2010, clinical and imagistic defined forms. Epidemiological sources were collected from records of family doctors from different regions of the country, neurologists form district, municipal and city hospitals, investigations archives of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of republican diagnostic centers, administrative records (centralized). Collection of cases included: questionnaire of patient assessment with inclusion of demographic and clinical data. Results. 747 MS patients were living in the study area, on the prevalence day, 31 December 2012. A crude prevalence was 21.0 per 100.000 inhabitants (95% CI: 14.8–27.1). From 724 prevalent cases, 460 (63.5%) were females with a mean age of 42.1±11.9 years and 264 (36.5%) were males, mean age of 40. 8±12.8 years. The highest estimates were observed in the age group 40-49, for women, 57.0 per 100.000 inhabitants and, for men, 29.0 per 100.000 inhabitants. The distribution of 721 prevalent cases by administrative areas in the Republic of Moldova was the following: Center – 32%, Chisinau – 13.9%, North – 33.8%, South – 11.1%, Transnistria – 2.1% and UTA Gagauzia – 7.1%. Conclusion. The estimated prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the Republic of Moldova was 21.0 per 100.000 inhabitants. This proved to be lower than in European countries. Also the patient’s neglect of the first appeared signs and symptoms lead to a late addressing to the neurologist doctor. On the other hand, when the patient addresses in time to a doctor, the reason why MS is not detected would be underestimating the diagnosis, which in some cases is established with delay and in the other cases it is not set at all.

Multiple sclerosis in the Republic of Moldova: a descriptive study of prevalence and evolution of clinical manifestations

PUGLIATTI, Maura
2015

Abstract

Introduction. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, which can lead to standing disability in young adults. Investigation of MS epidemiology in the Republic of Moldova shows interest, taking into account the fact that the natural evolution of the disease is still not affected by use of the disease modifying drugs. Material and methods. The study included patients diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald criteria 2010, clinical and imagistic defined forms. Epidemiological sources were collected from records of family doctors from different regions of the country, neurologists form district, municipal and city hospitals, investigations archives of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of republican diagnostic centers, administrative records (centralized). Collection of cases included: questionnaire of patient assessment with inclusion of demographic and clinical data. Results. 747 MS patients were living in the study area, on the prevalence day, 31 December 2012. A crude prevalence was 21.0 per 100.000 inhabitants (95% CI: 14.8–27.1). From 724 prevalent cases, 460 (63.5%) were females with a mean age of 42.1±11.9 years and 264 (36.5%) were males, mean age of 40. 8±12.8 years. The highest estimates were observed in the age group 40-49, for women, 57.0 per 100.000 inhabitants and, for men, 29.0 per 100.000 inhabitants. The distribution of 721 prevalent cases by administrative areas in the Republic of Moldova was the following: Center – 32%, Chisinau – 13.9%, North – 33.8%, South – 11.1%, Transnistria – 2.1% and UTA Gagauzia – 7.1%. Conclusion. The estimated prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the Republic of Moldova was 21.0 per 100.000 inhabitants. This proved to be lower than in European countries. Also the patient’s neglect of the first appeared signs and symptoms lead to a late addressing to the neurologist doctor. On the other hand, when the patient addresses in time to a doctor, the reason why MS is not detected would be underestimating the diagnosis, which in some cases is established with delay and in the other cases it is not set at all.
2015
Marcoci, C; Lisnic, V; Gavriliuc, M; Odainic, O; Sangheli, M; Belenciuc, A; Leone, M; Pugliatti, Maura
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11392/2338141
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