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Epidemiological investigations into multiple sclerosis in Southern Hesse
IV. The influence of urban and rural environment on disease risk
K. Lauer,
W. Firnhaber,
Corresponding Author
K. Lauer
Department of Neurology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Darmstadt, West Germany
Dr. Klaus Lauer Department of Neurology Academic Teaching Hospital Heidelberger Landstr. 379 6100 Darmstadt-Eberstadt West GermanySearch for more papers by this authorW. Firnhaber
Department of Neurology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Darmstadt, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorK. Lauer,
W. Firnhaber,
Corresponding Author
K. Lauer
Department of Neurology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Darmstadt, West Germany
Dr. Klaus Lauer Department of Neurology Academic Teaching Hospital Heidelberger Landstr. 379 6100 Darmstadt-Eberstadt West GermanySearch for more papers by this authorW. Firnhaber
Department of Neurology, Academic Teaching Hospital, Darmstadt, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
ABSTRACT – Residence during childhood and at disease onset in urban, semirural and rural communties respectively was investigated in an epidemiological group of MS patients in Southern Hesse (West Germany). Patients originated more frequently from small rural communities and less frequently from provincial towns than expected, whereas residence at onset corresponded to the distribution in the general population. The size of the community of residence did not influence age at onset, the later progression rate or the symptom at onset.
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