title: [Epidemiology of Cuban hereditary ataxia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The hereditary ataxias in Cuba make up the highest concentration of these patients in the world. The spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) molecular form is predominant.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and incidence of hereditary ataxias.
  
  
  METHODS
  We made a descriptive study of 440 patients and 1,633 members of families at risk from this disorder in the province of Holguín. We calculated the prevalence rate and incidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of prevalence of patients in the province is 43 cases per 100,000 inhabitants; the highest rate was 503 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in part of the municipality of Baguanos. The age group that was most affected was that of 30-39 years, with a prevalence of 63.97 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The rural population showed the highest incidence (62.04 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). The risk of members of affected families showing the disorder was 159.33 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in this province. The highest incidence was 18.08 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Cacocum, where the incidence in the province was 4.39.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On average the disorder passes from one state to the next every year, which suggests that the extent of the disorder worsens with time. The prevalence and incidence are the highest in the world. This together with the dominant pattern of inheritance, the effect of anticipation and inexorably progressive course of the disorder shows the serious health problem that affects the Eastern region of Cuba.
authors.affiliation: Clinica para la Investigación y Rehabilitación de las Ataxias Hereditarias Holguín, Cuba.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Velázquez-Pérez
authors.forename: F N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Paneque
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hechavarría
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020754:Spinocerebellar Ataxias / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology