Publications

Neurological disease in a defined population: the results of a pilot study in two general practices

Medline Identifier	96260893
Authors	Cockerell OC. Goodridge DM. Brodie D. Sander JW. Shorvon SD.
Institution	Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
Title	Neurological disease in a defined population: the results of a pilot study in two general practices.
Local Messages	Full text trial 2002-
Source	Neuroepidemiology. 15(2):73-82, 1996.

Abstract

A pilot study was set up to ascertain incident neurological disorders occurring in 25,000 people attending two general-practice surgeries for a period of 1 year. To achieve completeness of ascertainment and diagnostic validity poses considerable logistical and theoretical difficulties, and these are discussed. The commonest disorders (incidence in parentheses) were headaches (210/100,000), back syndromes (319/100,000), acute cerebrovascular disease (128/100,000), and migraine (64/100,000), with non-specific symptoms the most common problem overall (514/100,000). The incidence of Parkinson's disease was 26/100,000 and that of epilepsy 23/100,000. The pilot study will form the basis for a more comprehensive linkage scheme between the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London and surrounding general practices with a total base population of 100,000.