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The Prevalence of Motor Neurone Disease in the Province of Alberta

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2019

Lawrence W. Svenson ,
Valerie A. Cwik  and
W.R. Wayne Martin
Lawrence W. Svenson*
Affiliation:
Departments of Health Surveillance, Alberta Health, Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Valerie A. Cwik
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, U.S.A.
W.R. Wayne Martin
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
*
Reprint requests to: Larry Svenson, Health Surveillance, Alberta Health, PO Box 1360 Stn. Main, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 2N3
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Abstract:

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Using data from the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, the prevalence of motor neurone disease (MND) was estimated for the Province of Alberta, Canada. Between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1995, 208 cases of MND (125 males, 83 females) were identified from physician billing records giving a period prevalence of 7.38 (8.9 for males, 5.9 for females) per 100,000 population. On prevalence day, July 1, 1995, there were 171 cases (103 males, 68 females) of MND giving a point prevalence estimate of 6.07 (7.3 for males, 4.8 for females) per 100,000 population. Males were more likely to be diagnosed (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.1, 2.1) with MND and there was an increased risk of receiving a diagnosis with increasing age (χ2trend = 281, p < 0.001). The mean age of the cases was 59.2 years (58.5 for males, 60.3 for females) and did not differ significantly between the sexes. Geographically, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence across regions of the Province. During the study period, 28% of the cases had died (30% of males, 25% of females). The prevalence of MND in Alberta, is among the highest reported in the literature and requires additional investigation to verify these estimates and identify possible causative factors.

Résumé:

Résumé:

Nous avons estimé la prévalence de la sclérose latérale amyotrophique (SLA) dans la province d'Alberta au Canada, au moyen des données du plan albertain d'assurance santé. Entre le premier janvier 1994 et le 31 décembre 1995, 208 cas de SLA (125 hommes et 83 femmes) ont été identifiés à partir des réclamations d'honoraires des médecins, ce qui donne une prévalence de 7.38 (8.9 pour les hommes et 5.9 pour les femmes) par 100,000 de population. Les hommes étaient plus susceptibles de recevoir un diagnostic de SLA (RR = 1.52, IC 95% de 1.1 à 2.1) et le risque d'un tel diagnostic augmentait avec l'âge (χ2tendance = 281, p < 0.001). L'âge moyen des patients était de 59.2 ans (58.5 pour les hommes et 60.3 pour les femmes) et n'était pas significativement différent selon le sexe. Au point de vue géographique, il n'y avait pas de différence significative de la prévalence selon les régions de la province. 28% des patients (30% des hommes et 25% des femmes) sont morts pendant la période de l'étude. La prévalence de la SLA en Alberta est parmi les plus hautes rapportées dans la littérature. D'autres études seront nécessaires pour vérifier ces estimés et pour identifier les facteurs en cause.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , May 1999 , pp. 119 - 122
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 1999

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