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Goutman SA, Savelieff MG, Jang DG, Hur J, Feldman EL. The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis exposome: recent advances and future directions. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:617-634. [PMID: 37709948 PMCID: PMC11027963 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00867-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease of motor neuron degeneration with typical survival of only 2-5 years from diagnosis. The causes of ALS are multifactorial: known genetic mutations account for only around 70% of cases of familial ALS and 15% of sporadic cases, and heritability estimates range from 8% to 61%, indicating additional causes beyond genetics. Consequently, interest has grown in environmental contributions to ALS risk and progression. The gene-time-environment hypothesis posits that ALS onset occurs through an interaction of genes with environmental exposures during ageing. An alternative hypothesis, the multistep model of ALS, suggests that several hits, at least some of which could be environmental, are required to trigger disease onset, even in the presence of highly penetrant ALS-associated mutations. Studies have sought to characterize the ALS exposome - the lifetime accumulation of environmental exposures that increase disease risk and affect progression. Identifying the full scope of environmental toxicants that enhance ALS risk raises the prospect of preventing disease by eliminating or mitigating exposures. In this Review, we summarize the evidence for an ALS exposome, discussing the strengths and limitations of epidemiological studies that have identified contributions from various sources. We also consider potential mechanisms of exposure-mediated toxicity and suggest future directions for ALS exposome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Goutman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Masha G Savelieff
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Dae-Gyu Jang
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Junguk Hur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Campitelli MA, Abrahao A, Maclagan LC, Fu L, Maxwell CJ, Swartz RH, Zinman L, Bronskill SE. Health services utilization prior to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis: A province-wide study of individuals treated with riluzole in Ontario, Canada. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:691-700. [PMID: 34437716 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) symptoms mimic those of other conditions and often require multiple physician and healthcare contacts for investigation and accurate diagnosis. We examined the type and frequency of healthcare service utilization prior to ALS diagnosis and tracheostomy-free survival by sex and rurality among individuals treated with riluzole in Ontario, Canada. METHODS This population-based cohort study used administrative databases to identify patients aged 18+ y diagnosed with ALS and started on riluzole between April 2002-March 2018. Using Poisson regression, rate ratios of healthcare utilization and atypical diagnostic tests and unnecessary therapeutic interventions 5 y prior to ALS diagnosis were compared by sex and rurality. Tracheostomy-free survival after diagnosis was compared between groups using Kaplan-Meier estimators and proportional hazards models. RESULTS A total of 1071 patients with ALS were identified with a mean age of 70 y; 563 (52.6%) were men and 134 (12.5%) were rural residents. The number of physician visits increased in the 18 mo prior to ALS diagnosis. We observed modest sex differences in healthcare utilization. Rural patients had lower neurologist visit rates (rate ratio [RR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.87) and were significantly more likely to receive an atypical diagnostic test or unnecessary therapeutic intervention (RR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.04-3.10). Tracheostomy-free survival did not differ by sex (log-rank P-value = .78) or rurality (log-rank P-value = .84). DISCUSSION Given disparities observed in healthcare of rural ALS patients, policy strategies are needed to ensure all patients have timely access to care along the pathway from symptom onset to ALS diagnosis, to enable access to new therapeutics and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agessandro Abrahao
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Colleen J Maxwell
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.,School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard H Swartz
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lorne Zinman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan E Bronskill
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Jericó I, Elizalde-Beiras I, Pagola I, Torné L, Galbete A, Delfrade-Osinaga J, Vicente E. Clinical features and incidence trends of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Navarre, Spain, 2007-2018: a population-based study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 22:401-409. [PMID: 33641502 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1891249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder with a median survival of 3 years. The aim of our study is to analyze the incidence, age-related phenotype and clinical onset, geographical distribution, survival and diagnostic delay of ALS in Navarre. Methods: This is a population-based observational retrospective study, including all residents of Navarre (a northern Spanish region) from 2007 to 2018, who were followed until 30th September 2020. Results: We observed a global incidence 2.47/100,000 person-years, with an upward trend throughout the study, with the highest being in the age group of 70-74 years old. Point prevalence in December 2018 was 6.64/100,000 inhabitants (95%CI: 4.52-8.45). Upper limbs weakness onset was the most frequent in young people (<60 years), and bulbar, lower limbs weakness, generalized and respiratory associated with older age. Bulbar phenotype is the most frequent in women and in 80+ group. The median survival from clinical onset was 27.7 months (95%CI: 24.0-31.4), higher in spinal phenotype and younger onset age, and the diagnosis delay was 10.0 months (95%CI: 8.9-11.2) from clinical onset. Conclusions: We have observed a trend of increasing incidence in older people where the bulbar phenotype and female predominance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne Jericó
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarre Institute for Health Research), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Itsaso Elizalde-Beiras
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.,Primary Care, Servicio Navarro de Salud - Osasunbidea, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Pagola
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarre Institute for Health Research), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Laura Torné
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarre Institute for Health Research), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Arkaitz Galbete
- Navarrabiomed-Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-UPNA, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.,Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josu Delfrade-Osinaga
- Community Health Observatory Section, Instituto de Salud Pública y Laboral de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain, and.,CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Vicente
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.,Community Health Observatory Section, Instituto de Salud Pública y Laboral de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain, and
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León Fábregas M, Candela Blanes A, Marín Royo M. El papel del neumólogo en una unidad multidisciplinar de Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica. Reto, oportunidad y privilegio. Arch Bronconeumol 2019; 55:120-121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arbres.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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