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MS Prevalence in the United States

Neurology. ePub Feb 17. Dilokthornsakul P

Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence rates from a representative commercially insured database were higher than or consistent with prior US estimates, according to a retrospective analysis of a nationwide claims database for more than 42 million covered US representative lives. Researchers found:

• In 2012, MS prevalence was 149.2 per 100,000 people.

• Prevalence was consistent over 2008 to 2012.

• Females were 3.13 times more likely to have MS.

• Highest prevalence was in people aged 45 to 49 years (303.5 per 100,000 people).

• The East census region recorded highest prevalence (192.1 per 100,000); the West recorded the lowest (110.7 per 100,000).

• Extrapolated annual US population with MS for 2012 was 403,630.

Citation: Dilokthornsakul P, Valuck RJ, Nair KV, Corboy JR, Allen RR, Campbell JD. Multiple sclerosis prevalence in the United States commercially insured population. [Published online ahead of print February 17, 2016]. Neurology. doi:​10.​1212/​WNL.​0000000000002469.