Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mortality in the United States, 1979-2001.
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 > or =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 > or =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 > or =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.
Sejvar
James J
JJ
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. zea3@cdc.gov
Holman
Robert C
RC
Bresee
Joseph S
JS
Kochanek
Kenneth D
KD
Schonberger
Lawrence B
LB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000401:mortality*; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American