Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) epidemiology in Italy is mainly based on population-based prevalence studies. Administrative data are an additional source of information, when available, in prevalence studies of chronic diseases such as MS. The aim of our study is to update the prevalence rate of MS in Tuscany (central Italy) as at 2011 using a validated case-finding algorithm based on administrative data. Methods: The prevalence was calculated using an algorithm based on the following administrative data: hospital discharge records, drug-dispensing records, disease-specific exemptions from copayment to health care, home and residential long-term care and inhabitant registry. To test algorithm sensitivity, we used a true-positive reference cohort of MS patients from the Tuscan MS register. To test algorithm specificity, we used another cohort of individuals who were presumably not affected by MS. Results: As at December 31, 2011, we identified 6,890 cases (4,738 females and 2,152 males) with a prevalence of 187.9 per 100,000. The sensitivity of algorithm was 98% and the specificity was 99.99%. Conclusions: We found a prevalence higher than the rates present in literature. Our algorithm, based on administrative data, can accurately identify MS patients; moreover, the resulting cohort is suitable to monitor disease care pathways .

Bezzini, D., Policardo, L., Meucci, G., Ulivelli, M., Bartalini, S., Profili, F., et al. (2016). Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in tuscany (central Italy): a study based on validated administrative data. NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGY, 46(1), 37-42 [10.1159/000441567].

Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in tuscany (central Italy): a study based on validated administrative data

Bezzini, Daiana
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
Ulivelli, Monica;Bartalini, Sabina;Battaglia, Mario Alberto
Supervision
;
2016-01-01

Abstract

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) epidemiology in Italy is mainly based on population-based prevalence studies. Administrative data are an additional source of information, when available, in prevalence studies of chronic diseases such as MS. The aim of our study is to update the prevalence rate of MS in Tuscany (central Italy) as at 2011 using a validated case-finding algorithm based on administrative data. Methods: The prevalence was calculated using an algorithm based on the following administrative data: hospital discharge records, drug-dispensing records, disease-specific exemptions from copayment to health care, home and residential long-term care and inhabitant registry. To test algorithm sensitivity, we used a true-positive reference cohort of MS patients from the Tuscan MS register. To test algorithm specificity, we used another cohort of individuals who were presumably not affected by MS. Results: As at December 31, 2011, we identified 6,890 cases (4,738 females and 2,152 males) with a prevalence of 187.9 per 100,000. The sensitivity of algorithm was 98% and the specificity was 99.99%. Conclusions: We found a prevalence higher than the rates present in literature. Our algorithm, based on administrative data, can accurately identify MS patients; moreover, the resulting cohort is suitable to monitor disease care pathways .
2016
Bezzini, D., Policardo, L., Meucci, G., Ulivelli, M., Bartalini, S., Profili, F., et al. (2016). Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in tuscany (central Italy): a study based on validated administrative data. NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGY, 46(1), 37-42 [10.1159/000441567].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Prevalence-multiple-sclerosis-Tuscany-2016.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: PDF editoriale
Licenza: NON PUBBLICO - Accesso privato/ristretto
Dimensione 102.16 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
102.16 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/1033123