Epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Isfahan, Iran.
BACKGROUND
Few studies are carried out on the epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Middle East with no reports from Iran.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the epidemiological and clinical features of ALS amongst the Iranian population living in Isfahan, Iran.


METHODS
Medical records of all hospitals with a neurology department and outpatient neurology clinics in Isfahan province from 2002 to 2006 were reviewed, and all patients with the diagnosis of ALS according to El Escorial diagnostic criteria were extracted and related demographic and clinical data were gathered and analyzed.


RESULTS
We found 98 new patients (66 men and 32 women) with definite, probable, or possible ALS. The average annual incidence was 0.42/100,000, with the highest incidence rate amongst those aged 70-74. On 21 March 2006, the crude prevalence was 1.57/100,000. Median survival from onset was 48 months (95% confidence interval 34-61) and survival rates for 1, 3,and 5 years after the onset were 94%, 66%, and 32%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence and prevalence of ALS in the Iranian population seems to be lower compared to other populations and the survival of patients was longer than previously reported.
Sajjadi
M
M
Medical Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Etemadifar
M
M
Nemati
A
A
Ghazavi
H
H
Basiri
K
K
Khoundabi
B
B
Mousavi
S A
SA
Kabiri
P
P
Maghzi
A H
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult