Studies based on the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry.

INTRODUCTION

This paper reviews the most important articles using data from the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry (DMSR) published in the past 25 years.

RESEARCH TOPICS: These articles include: descriptive epidemiological studies, indicating that the female incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Denmark has increased considerably; follow-up studies on social events, showing that patients at a high rate lose their working ability and their spouses/partners; mortality studies, demonstrating a considerable excess mortality; cause-of-death studies; comorbidity studies; and, most importantly, historical prospective studies identifying some risk factors (e.g. infectious mononucleosis) and refuting others (head trauma and a number of occupational exposures e.g. nurses, utility workers, people exposed to solvents). The most important results are briefly presented.

CONCLUSION

The Danish MS register has proven to be a valuable tool for MS epidemiology and has provided knowledge that could not otherwise be achieved.