Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mortality in the United States, 1979–2001

Abstract

The etiology of nonfamilial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains unknown. Earlier studies have suggested an increase in the incidence of ALS over time. We performed a retrospective analysis of ALS-associated death rates and trends in the United States for 1979–2001 using death records from the national multiple cause-of-death database. The US average annual age-adjusted ALS death rate was 1.84 per 100,000 persons for 1979 through 1998. Most deaths were among adults ≧65 years of age and the median age at death was 67 years. A small overall increase in the death rate was observed primarily between 1979 and 1983, with a subsequent plateau. This slight change in the overall rate reflected apparent increases in the rates among those persons ≧65 years of age, particularly women, and persons in the 20- to 49-year-old age group. The ALS-associated death rate appeared to differ by geographic area, with a higher occurrence among most northern states. Our findings suggest that the epidemiology of ALS-associated deaths in the United States demonstrated small increases in the overall age-adjusted death rate and in the death rates among elderly women and adults 20–49 years of age. Subpopulations at higher risk for ALS were males, whites, persons ≧65 years of age, and residents of northern states. This study provides information for further studies to examine the epidemiology and risk factors associated with ALS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mortality in the United States, 2011–2014

“…This is consistent with previous US mortality studies of MND and ALS [11,12,18]. A recent review of global ALS epidemiology showed a trend of ALS incidence to increase with higher latitudes among European countries [19].…”

“…In the present study, rates by subpopulations showed elevations among males and whites that increased with age until approximately 70-79 years. These subpopulations also had increased rates in previous studies of ALS mortality in the United States [11,12]. The fact that ALS incidence and prevalence is greater among men has been a consistent finding across studies [13].…”

Mortality rates due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in São Paulo City from 2002 to 2006

“…In the United States, a retrospective study described rates increasing from 1.7/100,000 inhabitants in 1979, to 1.9/ 100,000 inhabitants in 2001 10 . Studies from other Countries also suggest this trend, raising the epidemiological interest regarding putative causes for the regional discrepancies, as well as risk factors for ALS overall 1,2,8,10 . In Brazil, the magnitude, as well as mortality rates of ALS are poorly studied.…”

ALS Incidence in Nova Scotia Over a 20- Year-Period: A Prospective Study

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Many of these studies analyzed large geographic areas with unstable populations, creating methodological challenges with respect to ABSTRACT: Objective: Previous studies have suggested that the incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Nova Scotia is relatively high and increasing over time. This study was performed to determine the current incidence of ALS in Nova Scotia and to compare this to data collected in 1984 and 1995.…”