Data from: A new way to estimate neurologic disease prevalence in the United States

Objective: Considerable gaps exist in knowledge regarding the prevalence
of neurologic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), in the United
States. Therefore, the MS Prevalence Working Group sought to review and
evaluate alternative methods for obtaining a scientifically valid estimate
of national MS prevalence in the current health care era. Methods: We
carried out a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT)
analysis for 3 approaches to estimate MS prevalence: population-based MS
registries, national probability health surveys, and analysis of
administrative health claims databases. We reviewed MS prevalence studies
conducted in the United States and critically examined possible methods
for estimating national MS prevalence. Results: We developed a new 4-step
approach for estimating MS prevalence in the United States. First,
identify administrative health claim databases covering publicly and
privately insured populations in the United States. Second, develop and
validate a highly accurate MS case-finding algorithm that can be
standardly applied in all databases. Third, apply a case definition
algorithm to estimate MS prevalence in each population. Fourth, combine MS
prevalence estimates into a single estimate of US prevalence, weighted
according to the number of insured persons in each health insurance
segment. Conclusions: By addressing methodologic challenges and proposing
a new approach for measuring the prevalence of MS in the United States, we
hope that our work will benefit scientists who study neurologic and other
chronic conditions for which national prevalence estimates do not exist.