[Multiple sclerosis mortality in Poland].

The total annual number of deaths among multiple sclerosis patients in Poland had been dropping gradually from 561 to 452 in the period 1969-1973, then it remained at a relatively stable level (507-528) in the years 1977-1980. The mean annual not age-adjusted mortality indices decreased from 1.72 to 1.34 and became stabilized at the levels 1.45-1.47 per 100 thousand population. The sex-adjusted mortality indices showed also an initial drop followed by a plateau. The mean life span of men with multiple sclerosis decreased slightly from 53.4 and in women from 52.7 to 50.4 years in both sexes in 1980. The author discusses the fluctuation of mortality indices and changes in the life span of patients with multiple sclerosis in Poland.