Update on Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society formed the Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence Workgroup to estimate U.S. epidemiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), using administrative health claims data from private and government-sponsored insurance programs during the years 2008 through 2010. The work expands on previous findings from the research group (NEJM JW Neurol May 29 2019 and Neurology 2019; 92:e1029).

Among 744,781 adults identified with MS, 76% were female, and median age was 45 to 54 years; 77% were white, 10% Black, and 7% Hispanic. The estimated prevalence of MS was 375 per 100,000 among white individuals, 298 per 100,000 among Black individuals, and 161 per 100,000 among Hispanic individuals. The correlation of prevalence with latitude wa…