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Prevalence of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy among HTLV-I carriers in Saga, Japan
H Shibasaki1, S Tokudome, Y Kuroda
1Department of Internal Medicine, Saga Medical School, Japan.
Insights
This study surveyed Human T-lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy (HAM) in Saga Prefecture, identifying 19 cases. Prevalence rates were higher in females, though not significantly, indicating a potential gender disparity in HAM occurrence.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is a retrovirus known to cause neurological diseases.
- HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM) is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder linked to HTLV-I infection.
- Understanding the prevalence of HAM is crucial for public health planning and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM) in Saga Prefecture.
- To investigate potential differences in HAM prevalence between sexes.
- To estimate the population at risk for HTLV-I carriers in the region.
Main Methods:
- Physicians in Saga Medical Association were surveyed via questionnaires to identify definite HAM cases.
- Population at risk was estimated using sex- and age-specific anti-HTLV-I antibody-positive rates from blood donors.
- Prevalence rates were calculated for HTLV-I carriers aged 20-69, with statistical analysis of findings.
Main Results:
- A total of 19 definite cases of HAM (7 males, 12 females) were identified as of January 31, 1988.
- Crude prevalence rates per 100,000 HTLV-I carriers (20-69 years) were 65.7 for males and 86.9 for females.
- Summary prevalence rates were 46.5 for males and 74.9 for females; no significant age-specific differences were observed between sexes.
Conclusions:
- The study provides an estimate of HAM prevalence in Saga Prefecture, highlighting the disease's presence in the region.
- While crude and summary prevalence rates were higher in females, the difference was not statistically significant.
- Further research is warranted to explore potential gender-based variations in HAM susceptibility and clinical presentation.
Abstract:
Surveying the disease by sending questionnaires to all physicians of the Saga Medical Association, we tabulated 19 definite cases of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (7 males and 12 females) as of January 31, 1988. The population at risk of HTLV-I carriers was estimated by applying sex- and age-specific anti-HTLV-I antibody-positive rates among blood donors at the Saga Red Cross Blood Center in the fiscal year of 1986 to the population of Saga Prefecture in 1982. The crude prevalence rates among HTLV-I carriers from 20 to 69 years of age per 100,000 were 65.7 for males and 86.9 for females, respectively. The summary prevalence rates with 95% confidence intervals were 46.5 (14.3-97.3) for males and 74.9 (35.3-129.2) for females. There was no remarkable difference in the age-specific prevalence rates in either sex. The crude and summary rates among females were higher than those among males, but the difference was not statistically significant.