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Epidemiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The epidemiological features of motor neurone disease are:

  • incidence: approximately 2 per 100 000 per year except in endemic areas such as the Island of Guam
  • prevalence: 5-6 per 100 000 of the population
  • males affected more than females in ratio of 2:1
  • familial link in 5-10% of cases
  • age of onset - mean = 55 years; range = 16-77 years, but usually in fifth to seventh decades

Reference:

  • Wolfson C et al. Incidence and prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Canada: a systematic review of the literature.Neuroepidemiology. 2009;33(2):79-88.
  • Logroscino G et al. Descriptive epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: new evidence and unsolved issues. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2008; 79: 6-11.

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