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Updated: Nov 1, 2025
08:16
Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: March 4, 2014
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What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis prevalence?
Rosario Vasta1, Cristina Moglia1,2, Umberto Manera1
1Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Summary
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) prevalence estimates increase with longer data collection periods. A 12-year follow-up is recommended for accurate prevalence, especially considering varying patient survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
- Accurate prevalence estimation is crucial for resource allocation and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) prevalence.
- To analyze how prevalence estimates are affected by the duration of data collection.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the PARALS register.
- Calculated crude prevalence ratios for varying historical periods up to 21 years.
- Stratified prevalence by sex, age at diagnosis, phenotype, and tracheostomy status.
Main Results:
- Prevalence ratios increased with longer data collection periods, from 6 (3-year) to 12.1 (21-year) per 100,000 population.
- Prevalence increase was inversely proportional to age at diagnosis, with the highest increase in the 25-35 age group.
- Predominant Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) phenotypes showed the largest prevalence increase (+320%).
Conclusions:
- ALS prevalence estimates are highly dependent on the follow-up period due to survival variability.
- A 12-year data collection period is suggested for reliable ALS prevalence estimates, including long-survival patients.
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