Mortality rates due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in São Paulo City from 2002 to 2006.

OBJECTIVE To describe the mortality rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the city of São Paulo as a function of demographics, year, and region. METHOD This was a retrospective descriptive study. Information was obtained from death certificates registered at the Program for the Improvement of Mortality Information, Municipal Health Department (PRO-AIM/SMS), coded as G12.2 according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), from 2002 to 2006. RESULTS Over the studied time, were found 326 deaths (51.6% women, overall mean age of 64.1 years). Highest deaths percentages happened in those from 60 to 69 and 70 to 79 years and in white individuals. ALS mortality rates ranged 0.44/100,000 in 2002 and 0.76/100,000 in 2006. No significant changes overtime in administrative districts were found. CONCLUSION ALS mortality rates in São Paulo were lower in comparison to other countries, however any risk factor in our environment, lifestyle or genetic characteristics were found.