The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Original Article

Updated Prevalence and Demographic Characteristics for ALS Cases in Texas, 2009–2011

Authors: Lindsay Rechtman, MPH, MCHES, Laurie Wagner, MPH, Wendy Kaye, PhD, John Villanacci, PhD

Abstract

Objectives: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare motor neuron disease with incidence rates ranging from 1 to 2/100,000 person-years. The Texas Department of State Health Services previously conducted surveillance for ALS in three metropolitan areas of Texas. This project provides an update to this research, while expanding its scope to the entire state.

Methods: The Texas Department of State Health Services contacted neurologists throughout Texas to determine whether they diagnose or treat patients with ALS. Those neurologists who cared for Texas residents with ALS between 2009 and 2011 were asked to complete a one-page case reporting form for each patient.

Results: A total of 1422 unique cases were received. The average crude annual incidence rate was 1.30/100,000 person-years and the 2009 period prevalence rate was 2.92/100,000 individuals. Reported cases were most likely to be 60 to 69 years old, non-Hispanic, white, and men.

Conclusions: This project provides an update to previously published Texas-specific epidemiological data regarding ALS; also, we note that our findings are consistent with previously published studies.

Full Article

Having trouble viewing the article content below? Click here to open it directly.

Images

Download Image

Download Image

Download Image

References

1. Hirtz D, Thurman DJ, Gwinn-Hardy K, et al. How common are the ‘‘common’’ neurologic disorders? Neurology 2007;68:326-337.
 
2. Wijesekera LC, Leigh PN. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2009;4:3.
 
3. Louwerse ES, Visser CE, Bossuyt PM, et al. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: mortality risk during the course of the disease and prognostic factors. The Netherlands ALS Consortium. J Neurol Sci 1997;152(Suppl 1):S10-S17.
 
4. Rothstein JD. Current hypotheses for the underlying biology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2009;65(Suppl 1):S3-S9.
 
5. Logroscino D, Traynor BJ, Hardiman O, et al. Descriptive epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: new evidence and unsolved issues. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2008;79:6-11.
 
6. Forbes RB, Colville S, Parratt J, et al. The incidence of motor neuron disease in Scotland. J Neurol 2007;254:866-869.
 
7. O’Toole O, Traynor BJ, Brennan P, et al. Epidemiology and clinical features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Ireland between 1995 and 2004. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2008;79:30-32.
 
8. Ragonese P, Cellura E, Aridon P, et al. Incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Sicily: a population based study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler 2012;13:284-287.
 
9. Wagner L, Archer NP, Williamson DM, et al. Prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Texas, 1998-2003. Tex Med 2012;108:e1.
 
10. Antao VC, Horton DK. The National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registry. J Environ Health 2012;75:28-30.
 
11. Brooks BR, Miller RG, Swash M, et al. El Escorial revisited: revised criteria for the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Other Motor Neuron Disord 2000;1:293-299.
 
12. Department of Commerce: 2010 US Census data-state and county QuickFacts Texas. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48000.html. Revised September 2012. Accessed May 27, 2015.
 
13. UTSA Texas State Data Center. 2010 US Census data--Texas. http://txsdc.utsa.edu/Resources/Decennial/2010/SF1/profiles/Texas_2010_SF1_Profile.pdf. Accessed May 27, 2015.
 
14. US Census Bureau. American Fact-Finder. DP1: profile of general population and housing characteristics: 2010. http://factfindr.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_113_113DP1&prodType=table. Published 2010. Accessed February 1, 2015.
 
15. Chio A, Logroscino G, Traynor BJ, et al. Global epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review of the published literature. Neuroepidemiology 2013;41:118-130.
 
16. Cronin S, Hardiman O, Traynor BJ. Ethnic variation in the incidence of ALS: a systematic review. Neurology 2007;68:1002-1007.