Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis 2
The surveillance of SSPE started in September 1995, for the second time. Its main aim was to monitor the incidence of SSPE. At the time of this study, the number of cases since 1982 had fallen, which followed approximately ten years after the decline in measles due to the introduction of the vaccine. However, under-reporting may have been an issue. As the incidence appeared to fall, the importance of complete notification increased.
Lead investigator
E Miller
About the study
A register of cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) began in 1970 at the request of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Its objective was to establish the incidence of SSPE in the UK to monitor any change following the introduction of measles vaccination in 1968.
In 1980, the Register transferred to Dr Christine Miller (formerly of the Epidemiology Research Laboratory, now the PHLS Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre (CDSC)). In 1989, to Dr Norman Begg and in 1993 to Dr Elizabeth Miller. Initially, paediatricians and neurologists were asked through the medical press to notify cases to the Register. From 1980, an annual letter was sent to every paediatrician and neurologist listed in the Medical Directory, asking them to indicate if they had or had not seen a case.
SSPE surveillance was undertaken through the BPSU reporting system from its inception in 1986 until July 1994. No cases were notified to the CDSC in the following year (with only a passive surveillance system). However, two cases came to the attention of the investigators later. One case through a media report, and another through a “Yellow Card” adverse event notification to the Committee on Safety of Medicines.
SSPE returned to the BPSU card in September 1995. Its main aim was to monitor the incidence of SSPE. The number of cases arising since 1982 had fallen, about ten years after the decline in measles, which resulted from the introduction of the vaccine (PHLS CDSC, unpublished data). However, under-reporting may also have been responsible. As the incidence appeared to have fallen, the importance of complete notification increased.
Duration
September 1995 – June 2001
Funding
Public Health Laboratory Services
Published papers
Miller C, Andrews N, Rush M, Munro H, Jin L, Miller E. The epidemiology of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in England and Wales 1990-2002. Arch Dis Child. 2004 Dec;89(12):1145-8. doi: 10.1136/adc.2003.038489. PMID: 15557053; PMCID: PMC1719740.
BPSU 15th Annual report 2000-2001