Motor neuron disease mortality rates in New Zealand 1992–2013

ObjectiveTo assess time trends in motor neuron disease (MND) incidence, prevalence, and mortality and to investigate geographic clustering of MND cases in the Netherlands from 1998 to 2017, we analyzed data from the Netherlands Personal Records database, the Netherlands MND Center, and the Netherlands Patient Association of Neuromuscular Diseases.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, Poisson regression was used to assess time trends in MND risk. We calculated age- and sex-standardized, observed, and expected cases for 1,694 areas. Bayesian smoothed risk mapping was used to investigate geographic MND risk.ResultsWe identified 7,992 MND cases, reflecting an incidence of 2.64 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.62–2.67) per 100,000 person-years and a prevalence of 9.5 (95% CI 9.1–10.0) per 100,000 persons. Highest age-standardized prevalence and mortality rates occurred at a later age in men than in women (p < 0.001). Unadjusted mortality rates increased by 53.2% from 2.57 per 100,000 person-years in 1998 to 3.86 per 100,000 person-years in 2017. After adjustment for age and sex, an increase in MND mortality rate of 14.1% (95% CI 5.7%–23.2%, p < 0.001) remained. MND relative risk ranged from 0.78 to 1.43 between geographic areas; multiple urban and rural high-risk areas were identified.ConclusionsWe found a significant national increase in MND mortality from 1998 through 2017, explained only partly by an aging Dutch population, and a geographic variability in MND risk, suggesting a role for environmental or demographic risk factors.

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Geographic Analysis of Motor Neuron Disease Mortality and Heavy Metals Released to Rivers in Spain

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15112522 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. 2522 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Germán Sánchez-Díaz ◽

Francisco Escobar ◽

Hannah Badland ◽

Greta Arias-Merino ◽

Manuel Posada de la Paz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Motor Neuron ◽

Motor Neuron Disease ◽

Metal Exposure ◽

Fine Grained ◽

Relative Risks ◽

Disease Mortality ◽

Standardized Mortality Ratios ◽

Log Linear

The etiology of motor neuron disease (MND) is still unknown. The aims of this study were to: (1) analyze MND mortality at a fine-grained level; and (2) explore associations of MND and heavy metals released into Spanish river basins. MND deaths were extracted from the Spanish nationwide mortality registry (2007–2016). Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for MND were estimated at a municipal level. Sites that emitted quantities of heavy metals above the regulatory thresholds were obtained from the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register database (2007–2015). The relative risks for non-exposed and exposed municipalities (considering a downstream 20 km river section) by type of heavy metal were analyzed using a log-linear model. SMRs were significantly higher in central and northern municipalities. SMRs were 1.14 (1.10–1.17) higher in areas exposed to heavy metals than in non-exposed areas: 0.95 (0.92–0.96). Considering the different metals, we found the following increased MND death risks in exposed areas: 20.9% higher risk for lead, 20.0% for zinc, 16.7% for arsenic, 15.7% for chromium, 15.4% for cadmium, 12.7% for copper, and 12.4% for mercury. This study provides associations between MND death risk and heavy metals in exposed municipalities. Further studies investigating heavy metal exposure are needed to progress in MND understanding.

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Geographic distribution of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through motor neuron disease mortality data

European Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1007/s10654-007-9173-7 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

pp. 781-790 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Raffaella Uccelli ◽

Alessandra Binazzi ◽

Pierluigi Altavista ◽

Stefano Belli ◽

Pietro Comba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽

Motor Neuron ◽

Motor Neuron Disease ◽

Geographic Distribution ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Disease Mortality ◽

Lateral Sclerosis

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Occupation and motor neuron disease: a New Zealand case–control study

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2018-105605 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (5) ◽

pp. 309-316 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Grace Xia Chen ◽

Andrea Martine ’t Mannetje ◽

Jeroen Douwes ◽

Leonard van den Berg ◽

Neil Pearce ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Motor Neuron ◽

Motor Neuron Disease ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Case Control ◽

Discharge Data ◽

Employment Duration ◽

Fruit Growing ◽

Control Study

ObjectivesTo assess associations between occupation and motor neuron disease (MND).MethodsWe conducted a population-based case–control study with cases (n=321) recruited through the New Zealand Motor Neurone Disease Association and hospital discharge data. Controls (n=605) were recruited from the Electoral Roll. Information on personal and demographic details, lifestyle factors and a full occupational history was collected using questionnaires and interviews. Associations with ever/never employed and employment duration were estimated using logistic regression stratified by sex and adjusted for age, ethnicity, socioeconomic deprivation, education and smoking.ResultsElevated risks were observed for field crop and vegetable growers (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.10 to 7.77); fruit growers (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.78); gardeners and nursery growers (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.82); crop and livestock producers (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.44 to 9.02); fishery workers, hunters and trappers (OR 5.62, 95% CI 1.27 to 24.97); builders (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.41 to 5.96); electricians (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.34 to 9.74); caregivers (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.04 to 6.79); forecourt attendants (OR 8.31, 95% CI 1.79 to 38.54); plant and machine operators and assemblers (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.01); telecommunications technicians (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.20 to 14.64); and draughting technicians (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.07 to 8.53). Industries with increased risks were agriculture (particularly horticulture and fruit growing), construction, non-residential care services, motor vehicle retailing, and sport and recreation. Positive associations between employment duration and MND were shown for the occupations fruit growers, gardeners and nursery growers, and crop and livestock producers, and for the horticulture and fruit growing industry.ConclusionsThis study suggests associations between MND and occupations in agriculture and several other occupations.

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