title: Epidemiological surveillance of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Saguenay region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Neuromuscular Registry of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (SLSJ), Québec, Canada was established for epidemiological surveillance of neuromuscular disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The objectives of this study are to analyze the ALS clinical characteristics of the SLSJ population and to determine the incidence rate over time by five year periods since 1985.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Registry was validated by a review of the medical records maintained at the CSSS de Chicoutimi, the regional university hospital and, by the estimation of the number of hospitalizations for ALS patients using the Quebec Hospital inpatient database (MED-ECHO).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 109 patients were included. Overall, the clinical features of ALS observed in SLSJ population are similar to those described in the literature. We observed a significant increase in the incidence rate of ALS during the 2005-2009 period compared with the previous periods. This is due to a significant increase in the incidence rate among the ≥65 years old group, from 4.68 per 100,000 persons/year (CI 95% 2.88-6.48) during 1985-2004 period to 12.22 (CI 95% 7.43-17.02) during 2005-2009 period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the small size of the SLSJ population, a longer observation period will be needed to confirm a new steady state incidence of ALS in this region.
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sherbrooke University.
authors: Emilie
authors: E
authors: Lareau-Trudel
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Fortin
authors: Marianne
authors: M
authors: Gauthier
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Lavoie
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Morissette
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Mathieu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies