RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Europe
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 385
OP 390
DO 10.1136/jnnp.2009.183525
VO 81
IS 4
A1 Giancarlo Logroscino
A1 Bryan J Traynor
A1 Orla Hardiman
A1 Adriano Chiò
A1 Douglas Mitchell
A1 Robert J Swingler
A1 Andrea Millul
A1 Emma Benn
A1 Ettore Beghi
A1 for EURALS
YR 2010
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/81/4/385.abstract
AB Background Geographical differences in the incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have been reported in the literature but comparisons across previous studies are limited by different methods in case ascertainment and by the relatively small size of the studied populations. To address these issues, the authors undertook a pooled analysis of European population based ALS registries.Methods All new incident ALS cases in subjects aged 18 years old and older were identified prospectively in six population based registries in three European countries (Ireland, UK and Italy) in the 2 year period 1998–1999, with a reference population of almost 24 million.Results Based on 1028 identified incident cases, the crude annual incidence rate of ALS in the general European population was 2.16 per 100 000 person years; 95% CI 2.0 to 2.3), with similar incidence rates across all registries. The incidence was higher among men (3.0 per 100 000 person years; 95% CI 2.8 to 3.3) than among women (2.4 per 100 000 person years; 95% CI 2.2 to 2.6). Spinal onset ALS was more common among men compared with women, particularly in the 70–80 year age group. Disease occurrence decreased rapidly after 80 years of age.Conclusions ALS incidence is homogeneous across Europe. Sex differences in incidence may be explained by the higher incidence of spinal onset ALS among men, and the age related disease pattern suggests that ALS occurs within a susceptible group within the population rather than being a disease of ageing.