Increasing prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in Poland

Epidemiologic data on multiple sclerosis (MS) in Poland are limited. Our objectives were to assess a mean annual incidence rate, and MS prevalence on December 31, 2015 in the Swietokrzyskie province (central Poland). We analyzed data of 1525 patients, collected in the Polish Multiple Sclerosis Registry. On December 31, 2015, overall crude prevalence of MS was not less than 121.3/100,000 (95% CI, 114.6-128.4). Significantly higher prevalence was recorded in females (167.1; 95% CI, 155.6-179.1) than in males (73.2; 95% CI, 64.2-82.6; P < 0.001). The age-adjusted prevalence standardized to the European standard population was 114.2/100,000 (95% CI, 106.2-121.5). The female-male ratio was 2.4:1. The mean annual incidence was 4.5/100,000 (95% CI, 3.8-5.2). Increased MS prevalence and incidence compared to 2010 and previous studies from Poland confirmed that central Poland is a high risk area for MS.