Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39557017›Full record

ArticleNeuroepidemiology2025

Rising Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Switzerland: Results from the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry.

Stefania Iaquinto, Andrew Chan, Zina-Mary Manjaly, Mina Stanikić, Benjamin Victor Ineichen, Jens Kuhle, Christina Haag, Jannis Müller, Özgür Yaldizli, Christian Philipp Kamm and 9 more

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Article in Neuroepidemiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Observational
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

19 authors.

Stefania IaquintoDepartment of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Andrew ChanDepartment of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Zina-Mary ManjalyDepartment of Neurology, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland.
Mina StanikićDepartment of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Benjamin Victor IneichenCenter for Reproducible Science (CRS), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Jens KuhleDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Christina HaagDepartment of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Jannis MüllerDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Özgür YaldizliNeurology Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, MS Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), Clinical Research and Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Christian Philipp KammDepartment of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Pasquale CalabreseNeuropsychology and Behavioral Neurology Unit, Division of Cognitive and Molecular Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Chiara ZeccaDepartment of Neurology, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, EOC, Lugano, Switzerland.
Tomas MagnussonBusiness Intelligence, MediService by Redcare, Zuchwil, Switzerland.
Sabin AmmannDepartment of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Jürg KesselringDepartment of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Rehabilitation Center Valens, Valens, Switzerland.
Claudia BaumRehabilitation Clinic Zihlschlacht, Zihlschlacht-Sitterdorf, Switzerland.
Miriam KaminskiDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Milo Alan PuhanDepartment of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Viktor von WylDepartment of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, viktor.vonwyl@uzh.ch.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionUnderstanding the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) provides information for healthcare planning and helps identify trends and patterns of disease occurrence. For Switzerland, the number of persons with MS (pwMS) was last estimated at approximately 15,000 in 2016. The study's objectives were to update estimates of MS prevalence and characterise the change in MS prevalence in Switzerland between 2016 and 2021, the last year with complete administrative data.

methodsThe Swiss MS Registry (SMSR) is an ongoing, longitudinal study in Switzerland. It has previously established a methodology to assess the epidemiology of MS in Switzerland by integrating SMSR data with administrative data on reimbursement approvals for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Subsequently, the benchmark-multiplier method is applied to the combined data. Using the same methodology, we calculated overall and sex- and age-specific prevalence rates for 2021. Furthermore, we descriptively analysed changes since 2016 by comparing the prevalence figures and demographic and clinical characteristics of pwMS in both years.

resultsWe estimated the population of pwMS in Switzerland at 18,140 (95% simulation interval: 17,550-18,750), corresponding to a period prevalence of 200.8-214.5/100,000 inhabitants. Peak prevalence was observed in the 50- to 55-year age group. Compared to 2016, the 2021 estimate corresponds to a 20% increase (n = 3,000). Extrapolating from Swiss population growth, we estimated that one-fifth of the observed prevalence increase may be attributed to a rising population. The proportion of pwMS in the age range from 50 to 64 (32.5% vs. 35.9%) and above 65 (8.0% vs. 11.1%) years increased. Consequently, the median (interquartile range) age increased from 47 (37-55) to 49 (38-57) years. The median age at diagnosis (36 [28-45] years) and the female-to-male ratio (2.7:1) remained stable since 2016. The proportion of pwMS treated with DMTs increased from 62.1% to 69.0%, with the largest change observed in infusion therapies (15.7% vs. 23.3%).

conclusionThe estimated MS prevalence in Switzerland has increased since the previous estimate in 2016, with a shift in peak prevalence towards older ages. Population growth explained around one-fifth of this increase, thus leaving room for contributions by additional factors, which require further investigation. The rising MS prevalence has several implications for healthcare, research, and society.

Indexed as

Multiple SclerosisRegistriesAdolescentAdultAgedFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceSwitzerlandYoung AdultEpidemiologyMultiple sclerosisObservational studiesPrevalenceRegistries

Identifiers

PMID39557017
PMCPMC12688380

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