Antecedent medical diseases in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A population-based case-controlled study in Rochester, Minn, 1925 through 1987
C. Armon, L. T. Kurland, P. C. O'Brien and D. W. Mulder
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for the prevalence of antecedent
endocrine, metabolic, or vascular diseases among 45 patients with
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from the Rochester, Minn, population compared
with 90 control subjects matched for sex, year of birth, period of
observation, and residence. Hypertension occurred less frequently in male
patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (4%) than in control subjects
(30%; OR = .10). Because of small population size, no conclusions can be
drawn with respect to the following antecedent conditions: thyroid disease
(OR = 1.61), coronary artery disease (OR = .58), obesity (OR = .52),
diabetes (OR = 1.00), cerebrovascular disease (OR = .21), and peripheral
vascular disease (OR = 1.23). The heterogeneity of antecedent thyroid
disease makes it highly unlikely that any specific thyroid lesion is
causally associated with most cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Hypertension may be a marker for protective factors against the development
of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in men.
