Incidence of major autoimmune diseases of the nervous system in China / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Autoimmune diseases of the nervous and muscle systems constitute a major disease category in neurology, characterized by high disability and heterogeneity. However, incidences for this group of disorders are still unknown in China at the national level. The emergence of the national Hospital Quality Monitoring System (HQMS) provides comprehensive data for epidemiological studies of rare diseases, and the systematism, accuracy and consistency during data collection of HQMS information provide a unique advantage for the investigation of the incidence of rare diseases. Currently, the incidence of major neurological autoimmune diseases based on HQMS has been accomplished and published. In conjunction with clinical practice and research progress of this field, the incidence studies of multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and myasthenia gravis are summarized. The completion of survey of disease incidence is instrumental to investigate the prevalence of this group of diseases. Ultimately, the outcome would benefit neurologists as well as health care policy makers.