title: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Brazil: Case series and review of the Brazilian literature.
abstract: Our objective was to systematically analyse the first series of cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Minas Gerais and to review the Brazilian literature about clinical studies in ALS. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study of a consecutive series of patients with probable or defined sporadic ALS according to the Awaji criteria, followed at two referral centres of Belo Horizonte (South-east Brazil). Patients underwent full clinical assessment. Comparisons of patient subgroups according to disease duration and initial presentation were performed. A systematic review was performed about Brazilian clinical studies in ALS. Results showed that of the 61 enrolled patients the male/female ratio was 1.6:1. The mean age at onset of symptoms was 54.9 years (SD ± 11.4). Mean age at diagnosis was 56.3 years (SD ± 11.1). Regarding the initial form of presentation, 43 cases (70.5%) were spinal, 12 cases (19.7%) were generalized and six cases (9.8%) were bulbar. Eight studies were found in the systematic review. In conclusion, the profile of our sample was similar to other national and international series, except for fewer cases of bulbar ALS in our series. There are few clinical studies of ALS in Brazil. The national data of prevalence and incidence are still uncertain.
authors: a Postgraduate Program of Neuroscience, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) , Belo Horizonte , MG .|b Neuromuscular Disease Centre, Department of Neurology , University Hospital , Belo Horizonte , MG , and.
authors: Laura de Godoy Rousseff
authors: Lde G
authors: Prado
authors: a Postgraduate Program of Neuroscience, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) , Belo Horizonte , MG .|b Neuromuscular Disease Centre, Department of Neurology , University Hospital , Belo Horizonte , MG , and.
authors: Isabella Carolina Santos
authors: IC
authors: Bicalho
authors: c Pneumology Department , Júlia Kubitschek Hospital, FHEMIG , Belo Horizonte , MG , Brazil.
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Vidigal-Lopes
authors: b Neuromuscular Disease Centre, Department of Neurology , University Hospital , Belo Horizonte , MG , and.
authors: Carla Juliana Araújo
authors: CJ
authors: Ferreira
authors: b Neuromuscular Disease Centre, Department of Neurology , University Hospital , Belo Horizonte , MG , and.
authors: Luiz Sérgio
authors: LS
authors: Mageste Barbosa
authors: b Neuromuscular Disease Centre, Department of Neurology , University Hospital , Belo Horizonte , MG , and.
authors: Rodrigo Santiago
authors: RS
authors: Gomez
authors: a Postgraduate Program of Neuroscience, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) , Belo Horizonte , MG .|b Neuromuscular Disease Centre, Department of Neurology , University Hospital , Belo Horizonte , MG , and.
authors: Leonardo Cruz
authors: LC
authors: De Souza
authors: a Postgraduate Program of Neuroscience, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) , Belo Horizonte , MG .|b Neuromuscular Disease Centre, Department of Neurology , University Hospital , Belo Horizonte , MG , and.
authors: Antônio Lúcio
authors: AL
authors: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Brazil; clinical aspects; epidemiology; review