Human Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies in Eleven Countries: Diagnostic Patterns from 1993 to 2002
Author Information
Author(s): de Pedro-Cuesta Jesús, Glatzel Markus, Almazán Javier, Stoeck Katharina, Mellina Vittorio, Puopolo Maria, Pocchiari Maurizio, Zerr Inga, Kretszchmar Hans A, Brandel Jean-Philippe, Delasnerie-Lauprêtre Nicole, Alpérovitch Annick, Van Duijn Cornelia, Sanchez-Juan Pascual, Collins Steven, Lewis Victoria, Jansen Gerard H, Coulthart Michael B, Gelpi Ellen, Budka Herbert, Mitrova Eva
Hypothesis
The study aims to describe the diagnostic panorama of human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies across 11 countries.
Conclusion
There is considerable international variation in the aetiological subtypes of human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies over the observation period.
Supporting Evidence
- Pre-mortem use of diagnostic investigations increased over time.
- International differences in pathological confirmation of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were evident.
- Some countries showed high proportions of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, particularly in the UK and France.
Takeaway
This study looked at brain diseases that can spread between humans in 11 countries and found that different countries have different types of these diseases.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from national databases of the EUROCJD consortium, focusing on deaths due to different human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and variations in diagnostic tests from 1993 to 2002.
Potential Biases
Potential undercounts due to poor reporting or case ascertainment before 1998.
Limitations
The study did not consider mortality rates or population denominators, which may affect the interpretation of results.
Participant Demographics
Patients from eleven countries in the EUROCJD consortium.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 84.72–4363.40
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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