Neutralizing antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients treated with 375 microg interferon-beta-1b.

Is season of birth associated with multiple sclerosis?

Objective - To compare the monthly distribution of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients' births with that of the Sicilian population. Background - Studies on the association between season of birth and risk of MS are scanty and controversial. Design and methods - Archives of the Institute of Neuropsychiatry of the Universities of Palermo and Catania were searched up to 1995 for definite MS patients (McDonald and Halliday criteria). The monthly distribution of MS patients' births (N = 965) was compared with that of the Sicilian population (N = 5,608,307). Results - The distribution of births among MS patients compared with the general population was not different when tested by the χ2 statistic …

Door-to-door prevalence survey of epilepsy in three Sicilian municipalities

A door-to-door prevalence survey of epilepsy was conducted in 3 Sicilian municipalities, as of November 1, 1987. In phase 1, the screening by questionnaire of 24,496 eligible subjects (participation = 92%) identified 544 suspected to have epilepsy. In phase 2, neurological evaluation of the 544 subjects yielded 111 with epilepsy. Of the 111 subjects, 103 (93%) had been previously diagnosed, 68 (61%) were taking antiepileptic medication, and 81 (73%) had active epilepsy. Referring to the 81 subjects with active epilepsy, the seizure type was generalized in 60 (74%), partial in 19 (23%) and undetermined in 2 (3%). The prevalence of active epilepsy (per 1,000 population) was 3.3 overall, 3.5 f…