AI Article Synopsis

  • The study investigates the geographical variation in the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) across 21 departments in France to improve healthcare provision.
  • Using a spatial Bayesian approach and various data sources, the prevalence of MS was found to significantly differ between regions, with the northeast showing the highest rates.
  • The research highlights the complexity of MS prevalence variation, suggesting factors like migration, socioeconomic status, and environmental influences may play a role, without clear ties to healthcare access or facilities.

Article Abstract

Introduction: Geographical variation in the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is controversial. Heterogeneity is important to acknowledge to adapt the provision of care within the healthcare system. We aimed to investigate differences in prevalence of MS in departments in the French territory.

Methods: We estimated MS prevalence on October 31, 2004 in 21 administrative departments in France (22% of the metropolitan departments) by using multiple data sources: the main French health insurance systems, neurologist networks devoted to MS and the Technical Information Agency of Hospitalization. We used a spatial Bayesian approach based on estimating the number of MS cases from 2005 and 2008 capture-recapture studies to analyze differences in prevalence.

Results: The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of MS per 100,000 inhabitants ranged from 68.1 (95% credible interval 54.6, 84.4) in Hautes-Pyrénées (southwest France) to 296.5 (258.8, 338.9) in Moselle (northeast France). The greatest prevalence was in the northeast departments, and the other departments showed great variability.

Discussion: By combining multiple data sources into a spatial Bayesian model, we found heterogeneity in MS prevalence among the 21 departments of France, some with higher prevalence than anticipated from previous publications. No clear explanation related to health insurance coverage and hospital facilities can be advanced. Population migration, socioeconomic status of the population studied and environmental effects are suspected.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5147922PMC
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0167556PLOS

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