Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease deaths in the United States, 1999–2009

Abstract

Our objective was to examine trends and epidemiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/motor neuron disease (MND) associated deaths in the United States. ALS/MND associated death rates and trends in the United States for 1999–2009 were examined using the multiple cause-of-death mortality data. Age-specific and age-adjusted death rates were calculated. For 1999–2009, the average annual age-adjusted death rate was 2.17/100,000 persons. The age-specific rate increased with age until 75–79 years. Males experienced a higher death rate than females. There was no definitive trend in the annual ALS/MND associated death rate, although analyses suggested a possible decrease (p = 0.05); however, the rate increased for persons 20–49 years of age and declined for persons ≥ 65 years of age. The annual rate for males decreased whereas the rate for females showed no change. In conclusion, the suggested decreasing annual ALS/MND associated death rate for 1999–2009 contrasts with earlier reports indicating that the incidence and death rate of ALS were increasing. While the ALS/MND associated death rate slightly increased among adults 20–49 years of age, rates declined among two subpopulations at higher risk for ALS/MND – males and persons ≥ 65 years of age. Continued monitoring of ALS/MND mortality data and additional epidemiological studies will be important to further elucidate these epidemiological trends.

Key words::

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• motor neuron disease
• mortality

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).