title: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis surveillance in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited epidemiological data on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) exist in defined geographic areas in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neurologists submitted case reports for patients under their care between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011, who met the El Escorial criteria. Diagnosis was confirmed for a sample of cases by the consulting neurologist. Death certificate data were used for supplemental case identification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 248 reported cases were most likely to be 50-69 years old, men, white, and non-Hispanic. The total crude average annual incidence rate was 1.46 per 100,000 person-years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reported demographic characteristics were consistent with previously published findings. The crude annual incidence was slightly lower than the expected rate of 1.6 but was within the range reported previously (0.7-2.5). These findings help quantify the burden of ALS in the United States.
authors.affiliation: McKing Consulting Corporation, 2900 Chamblee Tucker Road, Building 10, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.affiliation: McKing Consulting Corporation, 2900 Chamblee Tucker Road, Building 10, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rechtman
authors.affiliation: McKing Consulting Corporation, 2900 Chamblee Tucker Road, Building 10, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: McKing Consulting Corporation, 2900 Chamblee Tucker Road, Building 10, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Kaye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D004576:Electromyography; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Baltimore; Philadelphia; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; epidemiology; incidence; motor neuron disease; surveillance