Mortality rates due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in São Paulo City from 2002 to 2006

• Main Authors: Sheila Evangelista de Matos, Mônica Tilli Reis Pessoa Conde, Francis Meire Fávero, Mauro Taniguchi, Abrahão Augusto Juviniano Quadros, Sissy Veloso Fontes, Acary Souza Bulle Oliveira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABNEURO) 2011-12-01
• Series: Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria
• Subjects: mortalidade; esclerose lateral amiotrófica
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2011000700002&lng=en&tlng=en

OBJECTIVE: To describe the mortality rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the city of São Paulo as a function of demographics, year, and region. METHOD: This was a retrospective descriptive study. Information was obtained from death certificates registered at the Program for the Improvement of Mortality Information, Municipal Health Department (PRO-AIM/SMS), coded as G12.2 according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), from 2002 to 2006. RESULTS: Over the studied time, were found 326 deaths (51.6% women, overall mean age of 64.1 years). Highest deaths percentages happened in those from 60 to 69 and 70 to 79 years and in white individuals. ALS mortality rates ranged 0.44/100,000 in 2002 and 0.76/100,000 in 2006. No significant changes overtime in administrative districts were found. CONCLUSION: ALS mortality rates in São Paulo were lower in comparison to other countries, however any risk factor in our environment, lifestyle or genetic characteristics were found.