Association of lead exposure with survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Reasons for the variability in survival among ALS cases are unknown but may include exposure to environmental neurotoxicants.

Objectives

We aimed to determine whether lead exposure, assessed by measuring blood and bone lead levels, is associated with survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

We evaluated the relationship of lead exposure to ALS survival in 110 cases from a case-control study conducted in New England in 1993-1996 that included measurements of blood and bone lead. We retrieved information on date and cause of death through 31 December 2003 from the National Death Index Plus and the Social Security Administration Death Index. We evaluated the relationship of survival to lead exposure using Cox proportional hazard analysis, with

SUBMITTER: Kamel F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2453164 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature