[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a defined population in Belgrade--an epidemiologic study]

The paper shows the results of the first epidemiological study of ALS in Belgrade. The incidence, prevalence and natural course of ALS were determined for the period 1985 through 1991. The distribution of 58 newly discovered cases in a 7-year survey period showed that the average annual incidence rate was 0.54 per 100000 population (95% confidence interval, 0.23-1.06), and age-adjusted incidence rate was 0.42 per 100000 population (95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.83). The rate for males was 1.5 times higher than the rate for females. The greatest age-specific average incidence rate was observed in patients between 60 and 64 (3.66 per 100000 population: 95% confidence interval, 2.17-5.78). The actual age-adjusted prevalence rate on December 31, 1991 was 1.07 per 100000 (95% confidence interval, 0.71-1.71). The mean age at the onset of the disease was 56.2 +/- 9.8 and it ranged from 24 to 74. The average interval between the onset of symptoms and the establishing of the diagnosis was 14.38 +/- 17.26 months. The mean duration of the disease was 27.7 +/- 18.2 months. The cumulative probability of survival was 27% for the whole population in a 5-year interval. Elderly patients and those with bulbar signs at the onset had a poorer prognosis.