Neuroepidemiology
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Previous studies, dating back to the 1960s disclosed a progressive increase in multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence and prevalence in the Province of Padua. To further analyze whether this trend is the effect of the improved diagnostic procedures or is primarily related to a real increase risk of MS, we analyzed MS incidence and prevalence of the 5-year period 2011-2015. ⋯ MS incidence and prevalence further and significantly increased in the period 2011-2015. Our 1965-2015 data indicate a real increased risk of MS and stress a role of exogenous factors in MS susceptibility.
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disease involving the upper and lower motor neurons. It is also the most common and the one with the worst prognosis among the motor neuron diseases (MND). ALS invariably progresses to respiratory failure, which is an essential factor affecting the prognosis of this disease. Its prevalence in the world is heterogeneous and, in many countries, is even unknown, since national registries are not mandatory or comprehensive enough. Worldwide, the ALS/MND prevalence is estimated between 4 and 8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, but in Portugal the prevalence was never studied. Because ALS and MND are rare diseases, population-based studies are very difficult to perform. In Portugal, there are no systematic patient registries. ⋯ Overall, and even though we must account for the limitations of the indirect methods and models used for prevalence estimation, we probably have a very high ALS/MND prevalence in Portugal. It would be important to create registries, particularly in rare diseases, for better organization and distribution of healthcare services and resources, particularly at the level of ventilatory support.