[Incidence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in France, 1992-1995]

Abstract

Background: Recent developments in animal and humans transmissible spongiform encephalopathies have motivated a study on incidence and risk factors of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in France and 4 other European countries.

Methods: CJD cases were ascertained through a national network including 250 neurological departments or neuropathological laboratories. CJD cases were classified as definite, probable or possible. Overall incidence rate and age-standardized incidence rates by department were computed. Standardized incidence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were computed for comparing observed and expected number of CJD cases in each department.

Results: Between 1992 and 1995, 216 CJD cases were registered (mean incidence rate: 0.87 per million inhabitants). The distribution of CJD cases was heterogeneous (p < 0.007). Nevertheless, the distribution of standardized incidence ratios fitted quite well a Poisson distribution. The observed number of CJD cases was significantly higher than expected in 4 departments and lower in 1 department.

Conclusion: Incidence of CJD in France is similar to that observed in other European countries. Analysis of distribution of CJD cases by department showed a few significant differences which can be due to random fluctuations.