title: Epidemiological survey of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the province of Reggio Emilia, Italy: influence of environmental exposure to lead.
abstract: We carried out a retrospective incidence, prevalence and mortality survey of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the province of Reggio Emilia, northern Italy. Based on 79 patients, the mean incidence per year for the period 1980 through 1992 was 1.5 cases per 100,000. On December 31st, 1992, the prevalence rate was 5.4 per 100,000. In the 10-year period of 1983-1992 the average mortality rate was 1.3 per 100,000 per year. The average age at onset was 61.3 +/- 10.2, the average survival period thereafter was 26.3 months +/- 17.7; 27.3 +/- 17.6 for classic ALS, 19.5 +/- 8.4 for progressive bulbar palsy and 36.3 +/- 41.4 for pseudopolyneuritic ALS. The incidence rate, recorded in public health district No.12, an area with documented lead pollution since the 1970s, was standardized to the sex and age of the population of the province. Its incidence and prevalence rate were comparable to the rates found in the remaining area of the province.
authors.affiliation: Neurological Division, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guidetti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bondavalli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabadini
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marcello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vinceti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cavalletti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marbini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gemignani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vivoli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Solimè
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality*; D010244:Bulbar Palsy, Progressive / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D007854:Lead