Multiple Sclerosis: secondary care data

The Scottish MS register reported a combined incidence for males and females of 10.6 cases per 100,000 population in 2021, which is an increase from 2020 for which they report 8.8 cases per 100,000 population. The report explains that it is difficult to know if this is an artefact of delayed diagnoses due to the pandemic or if we are seeing a genuine increase in incidence.

Chart 1 shows the incidence of multiple sclerosis in Scotland based on the numbers of first hospital admissions or deaths (without a prior hospital admission for MS during the preceding 10 years). Despite recent reductions, the incidence in females (9.9 per 100,000 population in 2021/22) remains double that of males (4.9 per 100,000 population in 2021/22).

Chart 2 shows the incidence of multiple sclerosis by age and sex, calculated on the same basis as the figures in chart 1. In 2021/22, the highest rate of new cases continues to be seen in females aged 25 to 59 years, however, the rate has reduced by around one third over the past 3 years from 21.4 to 13.9 per 100,000 population. The reduction appears unique to this group and has not been observed across other age and sex groups.