Mortality rates due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in São Paulo City from 2002 to 2006.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the mortality rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the city of São Paulo as a function of demographics, year, and region.


METHODS
This was a retrospective descriptive study. Information was obtained from death certificates registered at the Program for the Improvement of Mortality Information, Municipal Health Department (PRO-AIM/SMS), coded as G12.2 according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), from 2002 to 2006.


RESULTS
Over the studied time, were found 326 deaths (51.6% women, overall mean age of 64.1 years). Highest deaths percentages happened in those from 60 to 69 and 70 to 79 years and in white individuals. ALS mortality rates ranged 0.44/100,000 in 2002 and 0.76/100,000 in 2006. No significant changes overtime in administrative districts were found.


CONCLUSIONS
ALS mortality rates in São Paulo were lower in comparison to other countries, however any risk factor in our environment, lifestyle or genetic characteristics were found.
Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Division of Neuromuscular Disorders, Brazil.
Sheila Evangelista de
SE
Matos
Mônica Tilli Reis Pessoa
MT
Conde
Francis Meire
FM
Fávero
Mauro
M
Taniguchi
Abrahão Augusto Juviniano
AA
Quadros
Sissy Veloso
SV
Fontes
Acary Souza Bulle
AS
Oliveira
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000401:mortality*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data