The Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences

, Volume 10, Issue 5, pp 505–509 | Cite as

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Palermo, Italy: an epidemiological study

  • Salemi G. 
  • Fierro B. 
  • Arcara A. 
  • Cassata M. 
  • Castiglione M. G. 
  • Savettieri G. 
Original Articles

Abstract

The incidence, prevalence and natural course of ALS were determined in the population of the province of Palermo, Italy. The average annual incidence calculated for the years 1973 through 1984, was 044./100.000 inhabitants. The prevalence rate on prevalence day December 31, 1984, was 1.67/100.000 population. The male/female ratio was 1.38. The mean age at onset was 54.3±11.02. The most common clinical form was the conventional one (61.4%); the bulbar form was more frequent among females than males. The mean duration of the disease was 33.7±35.8 months. The longest duration belongs to the pseudopolyneuritic form. The median survival was 36 months: 16 months for the bulbar, 36 months for the conventional and 51 months for the pseudopolyneuritic form.

Key-Words

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis incidence prevalence 

Sommario

Questa indagine si prefigge di valutare l'incidenza, la prevalenza ed il decorso naturale della Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica nella provincia di Palermo nel periodo compreso tra il 1973 ed il 1984. L'incidenza annuale media è di 0,44/100.000 abitanti; il tasso di prevalenza al 31 Dicembre 1984 è di 1,67/100.000 abitanti. Il rapporto M/F risulta di 1,38; l'età media di esordio è di 54,3±11,01. La forma tipica è quella più comune (61,4%), mentre la forma bulbare è la più frequente tra i soggetti di sesso femminile. La durata media di malattia è di 33,7±35,8 mesi, sopravvivendo maggiormente i pazienti affetti dalla forma pseudopolineuritica. La sopravvivenza media è di 36 mesi. Una analisi differenziata per le singole forme evidenzia una sopravvivenza media di 16 mesi nella forma bulbare, di 36 mesi nella forma tipica e di 51 mesi nella forma pseudopolineuritica.

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Copyright information

© Masson Italia Periodici 1989

Authors and Affiliations

  • Salemi G. 
    • 1
  • Fierro B. 
    • 1
  • Arcara A. 
    • 1
  • Cassata M. 
    • 1
  • Castiglione M. G. 
    • 1
  • Savettieri G. 
    • 1
  1. 1.Istituto di NeuropsichiatriaUniversità degli Studi di PalermoPalermo

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