Multiple sclerosis in the far north - incidence and prevalence in Nordland County Norway 1970–2010

摘要

BackgroundThe risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) increases with increasing latitude. Taking into consideration that Norway has a large latitude range, a south-to-north gradient would be expected. However, previous studies have reported an uneven distribution of the disease in Norway, with a relatively low prevalence in the most northern parts of the country.We describe the incidence and prevalence of MS in a county in the north of Norway over a period of 40 years.