Objective:

To determine changes in the mean age, sex distribution, incidence, and prevalence of the Danish multiple sclerosis population from 1950 to 2023, highlighting the significance of these changes for healthcare planning.

Key Findings:

• Mean age of the Danish MS population increased to 54.2 years in 2023, with fluctuations observed since the late 1970s.
• Female proportion in the MS population rose from 58.7% in 1975 to 68.5% in 2023.
• Incidence of MS increased from 3.5 per 100,000 in 1975 to 11.4 per 100,000 in 2000, stabilizing thereafter.
• Overall and sex-specific prevalence trends showed an upward trajectory, particularly among females.

Interpretation:

The mean age of the Danish MS population has increased, but not as significantly as anticipated, suggesting a need for further investigation into demographic trends and their implications for healthcare.

Limitations:

• Data may not capture all demographic changes due to potential underreporting or misclassification, which could skew incidence and prevalence rates.
• Longitudinal data may be influenced by changes in diagnostic criteria and treatment availability over time, affecting the reliability of trends.

Conclusion:

The study establishes a benchmark for future demographic studies in MS, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring of demographic trends for effective healthcare planning.