The incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in southwestern Ontario, Canada.

The incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in southwestern Ontario, Canada, were determined for the years 1978 through 1982. The average annual incidence rate was 1.63 per 100,000 population. The prevalence rate was 4.9 per 100,000 on January 1, 1983. The average annual mortality rate was 1.52 per 100,000 population and increased with age, reaching a peak in the 70 to 79-year decade in both sexes. The male:female ratio was 1.2:1. The average age at diagnosis was 62.5 years, and the average duration from date of diagnosis was 2.5 years. The distribution of the disease was uneven in 12 counties, with the highest incidence in Perth (3.33) and Essex (2.43) counties. The city of Windsor, in an industrial region, had a high average annual incidence rate of 2.81.