The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Queensland, Australia

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-510X(87)90154-7Get rights and content

Abstract

An epidemiological survey of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the State of Queensland was undertaken with its prevalence day being the national census day on June 30th, 1981, 20 years after a regional survey within the State. The relationship between increasing prevalence of MS and increasing south latitude within the State of Queensland which was suggested by the 1961 study was confirmed in the present study. The prevalence rate had increased significantly over the 20-year period between the studies but the State remained a medium frequency zone for MS (prevalence rate between 5 and 29 per 100 000 of population). Although a real increase in disease frequency could not be excluded as a contributing factor to the rise in prevalence, it was most likely due predominantly to an increase in life expectancy amongst the MS population and also in differential migration of a population at a greater risk of developing MS than the indigenous population. The proportions of Australian-born patients who had migrated to Queensland from the higher risk southern regions of Australia or travelled overseas to countries known to be high-risk for MS prior to disease onset, had fallen between the two surveys thus exerting, if anything, a negative influence on the change in prevalence. Analysis of MS prevalence rates amongst migrant populations in Queensland as compared to the more southerly city of Perth in Western Australia, suggested that the risk of acquisition of MS may extend over a wider age range than is generally accepted. Finally, there was an absence of MS cases amongst the Aboriginal population in Queensland but it can only cautiously be concluded from this study that the disease is rare in these peoples.

References (31)

  • E.D. Acheson

    The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis

  • M. Alter et al.

    Risk of multiple sclerosis related to age at immigration to Israel

    Arch. Neurol. (Chic.)

    (1966)
  • M. Alter et al.

    Multiple sclerosis among orientals and caucasians in Hawaii

    Neurology (Minn.)

    (1971)
  • M. Alter et al.

    Migration and risk of multiple sclerosis

    Neurology (Minn.)

    (1978)
  • P. Armitage

    Test for linear trends in proportions and frequencies

    Biometrics

    (1955)
  • G.W. Beebe et al.

    Studies on the natural history of multiple sclerosis

    Neurology (Minn.)

    (1957)
  • G. Dean et al.

    On the risk of multiple sclerosis according to age at immigration to South Africa

    Brit. Med. J.

    (1971)
  • R. Detels et al.

    Multiple sclerosis and age at migration

    Amer. J. Epidemiol.

    (1978)
  • H.R. Fischman

    Multiple sclerosis: a two stage process?

    Amer. J. Epidemiol.

    (1981)
  • S.R. Hammond et al.

    The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in three Australian cities: Perth, Newcastle and Hobart

    Brain

    (1987)
  • W.C. Knowler et al.

    Diabetes incidence and prevalence in Pima indians; a 19 fold greater incidence than in Rochester, Minnesota

    Amer. J. Epidemiol.

    (1978)
  • L.T. Kurland et al.

    An appraisal of population studies of multiple sclerosis

    Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci.

    (1965)
  • J.F. Kurtzke

    On the time of onset of multiple sclerosis

    Acta Neurol. Scand.

    (1965)
  • J.F. Kurtzke

    Clinical manifestations of multiple sclerosis

  • J.F. Kurtzke

    A reassessment of the distribution of multiple sclerosis, Parts One and Two

    Acta Neurol. Scand.

    (1975)
    J.F. Kurtzke

    A reassessment of the distribution of multiple sclerosis, Parts One and Two

    Acta Neurol. Scand.

    (1975)
  • Cited by (61)

    • Changing epidemiology of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in immigrants: A systematic review of population-based studies

      2019, Journal of Autoimmunity
      Citation Excerpt :

      A total of 21 studies reported MS epidemiology among immigrants. The most common host countries were Australia and Tasmania (N = 6) [36–41], Norway (N = 2) [42,43], Sweden (N = 2) [44,45], and Israel (N = 2) [46,47]. Other host countries were the UK [48], Germany [49], Estonia [50], Malta [51], Iran [52], West Indies [53], Hawaii [54] and Canada [55] with one study from each country.

    • Multiple sclerosis

      2019, The Autoimmune Diseases
    • Immunogenetics of Neurological Disease

      2014, Rosenberg's Molecular and Genetic Basis of Neurological and Psychiatric Disease: Fifth Edition
    • Multiple Sclerosis

      2013, The Autoimmune Diseases: Fifth Edition
    • Brain axial and radial diffusivity changes with age and gender in healthy adults

      2013, Brain Research
      Citation Excerpt :

      Assessment of white matter has become increasingly important for degenerative disease appraisal, since a breakdown in fiber communication speed or integrity can lead to severe behavioral consequences (Bartzokis et al., 2010; Schiavone et al., 2009). The progression of brain tissue change differs with normal aging between sexes in several brain sites, including the thalamus, hippocampus, pontine, and parietal lobes (Kanaan et al., 2012; Menzler et al., 2011; Murphy et al., 1996; Raz et al., 2001), and these changes coincide with greater vulnerability to neuropsychological consequences between genders of similar ages (Andersen et al., 1999; Fratiglioni et al., 2000; Hammond et al., 1987; Weinshenker et al., 1989). Neural pathologies also contribute to regional white matter degradation, which can be evaluated, but only after controlling for age and sex contributions to changes in those areas, values which are largely lacking in healthy adults.

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    This research was supported financially by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Australia and the Bushell Trust.

    View full text