Multiple Sclerosis: mortality

Table 1 below shows deaths in Scotland for both sexes combined where multiple sclerosis (MS) was recorded as a cause of death. Over the seven years to 2006, there was no consistent trend in the number of deaths where MS was the primary cause of death. The number of deaths where MS was mentioned as a contributing cause rose sharply. It is not clear whether this reflects more complete recording of causes of death or some other factor.

Table 1. Number of deaths in Scotland where Multiple Sclerosis was recorded on the Death Certificate by year between 2000 and 2006 (1)

			Year of Registration
	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Primary Cause of Death	111	117	109	87	111	111	93
Primary or contributing Causes of Death	196	185	189	209	223	213	171

1. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 2000-2006, Tenth revision (ICD10) code: G35

Source: General Register Office for Scotland