Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2002 were identified to study ALS prevalence and spatial clustering in Jefferson County, Missouri, where an active lead smelter is located. The study used the El Escorial criteria for ALS diagnosis, the capture–recapture analysis for ALS case ascertainment, and the spatial scan statistic for cluster analysis. The estimated crude prevalence of ALS in Jefferson County was 3.9 per 100,000 population (95% CI, 1.7–7.7) at the time point on December 31, 2002. After age-adjustment to the 2002 U.S. population, the prevalence was 4.2 per 100,000 (95% CI, 1.9–6.6). This prevalence estimate was comparable to recent prevalence estimates from Western Europe. A small but significant cluster ( p = 0.04) was detected around the smelter area. An ALS registry utilizing outpatient, inpatient, and death certificate data is needed to provide comprehensive information for ALS case ascertainment. Etiologic studies are needed to assess whether living in proximity to a lead smelter is associated with the development of ALS.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
