Incidence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Local Health District of Ferrara, Italy, 1964–1998

One of the epidemiologic characteristics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) still under discussion is whether the incidence of ALS is increasing over time. We performed a new investigation expanding our previous study of ALS in the local health district (LHD) of Ferrara, northern Italy, to deter...

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Published inNeuroepidemiology Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 229 - 234
Main Authors Govoni, Vittorio, Granieri, Enrico, Capone, Jay, Manconi, Mauro, Casetta, Ilaria
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.07.2003
Subjects
Adult
Age Distribution
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - epidemiology
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - etiology
Female
Humans
Incidence
Italy - epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Original Paper
Risk Factors
Sex Distribution
Time Factors
Italy
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Incidence
Temporal trend
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Summary:One of the epidemiologic characteristics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) still under discussion is whether the incidence of ALS is increasing over time. We performed a new investigation expanding our previous study of ALS in the local health district (LHD) of Ferrara, northern Italy, to determine whether there have been any changes in the incidence of ALS in the years 1964–1998. We used a complete enumeration approach by reviewing all possible sources of case collection available in the study area. We selected all patients with definite and probable ALS according to the World Federation of Neurology criteria. The mean annual crude incidence rate for 1964–1998 was 1.63 per 100,000 population (95% CI 1.31–2.00). An increase in incidence from 1.07 to 2.19 per 100,000 population was observed during the study period. It was greater in women and in individuals of 70 years old and over. Substantial population ageing occurred in the LHD of Ferrara during the study period and it was more prominent in women. This increase in incidence seems to be explained mainly by the ageing of the population. Moreover, greater precision in diagnosis of ALS in elderly women, rather than better case ascertainment of diagnosed patients, may have contributed to the increase. The role of environmental factors cannot be excluded, but based on the present findings, it seems to be of little importance.
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ISSN:0251-5350
1423-0208
DOI:10.1159/000070563