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ALS Incidence in Nova Scotia Over a 20- Year-Period: A Prospective Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

J.P. Bonaparte ,
I.A. Grant ,
T.J. Benstead ,
T.J. Murray  and
M. Smith
J.P. Bonaparte
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
I.A. Grant
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
T.J. Benstead
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
T.J. Murray
Affiliation:
MS Unit, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
M. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Abstract

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Objective:

Previous studies have suggested that the incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Nova Scotia is relatively high and increasing over time. This study was performed to determine the current incidence of ALS in Nova Scotia and to compare this to data collected in 1984 and 1995.

Methods:

All physiatrists and neurologists were surveyed on a monthly basis over one year to record all new cases of ALS diagnosed in Nova Scotia. Data was compared to that collected using similar methods in 1984 and 1995. To validate our methods, we also performed a retrospective study using a provincial health care database.

Results:

There were 21 new ALS cases in Nova Scotia during the 2003 study period, yielding a crude incidence of 2.24/100,000. The age-adjusted incident rate for 2003 was 2.13 (95% CI = 0.11-4.15). The age-adjusted rate for 1995 was 2.3 (95% CI = 0.08-4.53) while the age-adjusted rate for 1984 was 2.22 (95% CI = 0.13-4.32). Analysis of provincial health records identified 24 cases of ALS and an age-adjusted incidence of 2.44/100,000.

Conclusion:

The age-adjusted incidence of ALS in Nova Scotia has remained stable over the period 1984-2003. The incidence is similar to that reported in several other parts of the world.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ: Objectif:

Selon certaines études antérieures, l'incidence de la SLA serait relativement élevée en Nouvelle-Écosse et elle serait à la hausse. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer l'incidence actuelle de la SLA en Nouvelle-Écosse et de la comparer à celles de 1984 et de 1995.

Méthodes:

Une enquête a été effectuée auprès de tous les physiatres et les neurologues sur une base mensuelle pendant un an pour recenser les nouveaux cas de SLA diagnostiqués en Nouvelle-Écosse. Ces données ont été comparées à celles obtenues au moyen de méthodes similaires en 1984 et en 1995. Nous avons également effectué une étude rétrospective dans une banque provinciale de données de soins de santé afin de valider nos méthodes.

Résultats:

Au cours de l'étude en 2003, il y a eu 21 nouveaux cas de SLA en Nouvelle-Écosse, soit une incidence brute de 2,24/100 000 habitants. Le taux d'incidence ajusté pour l'âge était de 2,13 (I.C. à 95% : de 0,11 à 4,15) en 2003, alors qu'il était de 2,3 (I.C. à 95% : de 0,08 à 4,53) en 1995 et de 2,22 (I.C. à 95% : de 0,13 à 4,32) en 1984. L'analyse du fichier provincial a identifié 24 cas de SLA pour une incidence ajustée pour l'âge de 2,44/100 000 habitants.

Conclusions:

L'incidence de la SLA ajustée pour l'âge en NouvelleÉcosse est demeurée stable entre 1984 et 2003. L'incidence est semblable à celle qui a été rapportée dans plusieurs autres parties du monde.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , February 2007 , pp. 69 - 73
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2007

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