Incidence and prevalence of motor neuron disease in Coastal and Mountainous Regions, Croatia, 1984–1993. A preliminary survey

In the period 1984-1993, we carried out an incidence and pre-valence study of motor neuron disease in Coastal and Mountainous Regions, Croatia. This was the first epidemiological study on motor neuron disease in Croatia. A total of 22 incident cases were identified. The crude annual incidence rate was 0.68 (95% confidence interval 0.43-1.03) per 100,000 person-years; 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.60-1.43) per 100,000 person-years for men and 0.42 (95% confidence interval 0.26-0.63) per 100,000 person-years for women. The rate adjusted to the European population was 0.63 (95% confidence interval 0.39-0.95) per 100,000 person-years, The age-adjusted incidence in our population is similar to the rates, standardized to the European population, observed in Italy, but lower than recent rates in the US and northern European studies, On 31st December 1993, there were 18 prevalent cases. The prevalence adjusted to the European population was 5.24 (95% confidence interval 3.10-8.28) per 100,000 population.