Updated Prevalence Estimates of MS in Texas, 1998 - 2003

Study Overview:

The Texas Department of State Health Services extended the prevalence study of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a 19-county area in north Texas to include three additional years of data and included a new geographic area with a predominantly Hispanic population (El Paso County). Patients diagnosed with MS by a neurologist, who resided in the study areas, and who had an office visit between 1998 and 2003 were included in the study.

Study Results:

The six-year MS prevalence estimate for the north Texas counties was 71.5/100,000 and for El Paso County was 49.4/100,000. In both areas, prevalence estimates were higher for females, age groups 40 to 49 and 50 to 59, and for non-Hispanic whites. These estimates provide valuable information about the epidemiology of MS in Texas and allow for a comparison with national estimates. The results also provide much needed prevalence data for the Hispanic population.