OBJECTIVE

Population-based studies of the prevalence of trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) are rare worldwide and unknown for the Rostov region. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of TGN in the Rostov region.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed 368 case histories of patients with TGN who underwent examination and treatment at the Rostov State Medical University between 1994 and 2020. Necessary material was taken from the websites of the Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System, Rosstat and other databases.

RESULTS

Mean annual prevalence of classical TGN in the Rostov region was 8.5 (95% CI 7.64—9.49) cases per 100.000. The median age of disease onset was 55 years (95% CI 53.5—56.5). There were 262 (71%) women and 106 (29%) men. The ratio of men and women for both urban and rural populations was 1:2. Overall incidence of TGN was higher among urban population (9.5 (95% CI 8.5—10.9) vs. 6.5 (95% CI 5.1—7.98) per 100.000, p<0.00001). Prevalence of classical TGN was significantly higher among women (11.0 (95% CI 9.68—12.21) vs. 5.5 (95% CI 4.66—6.74)). Among urban population, the highest prevalence of TGN (13.8 per 100.000) was observed in cities with the highest pollution (concentrations of certain harmful substances are 5 times higher than permissible norms!). In case of moderate deterioration of environmental situation, prevalence of TGN was 4.2% (95% CI 1.5—9.7). Incidence of classical TGN in urban population is significantly higher than in rural population that also correlates with ecological situation in regions.