We searched for full-text publications in Russian and English in the E-Library, PubMed, Springer, Clinical keys, Google Scholar databases, using keywords and combined word searches (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - ALS, motor neuron disease, epidemiology, incidence, prevalence), for 2015 – 2020. In addition, the review included earlier publications of historical interest. Despite our comprehensive searches of these commonly used databases and search terms, it cannot be excluded that some publications may have been missed. A total of 74 publications were analyzed, reflecting epidemiological studies of ALS in 168 countries. The incidence of ALS worldwide varies from 0.4 per 100,000 per year (Ecuador) to 9.45 per 100,000 per year (Japan, Oshima region). Prevalence - from 0.1 per 100,000 population (Somalia) to 42.1 per 100,000 population (Canada). This data depends on many factors, including the quality of the diagnosis and the health care system.

The aim of the research is generalization of information about the most common foreign and domestic scales and questionnaires used in acute and chronic back pain (BP). The analysis of Russian-language and foreign literature was carried out with a search depth of 5 years (2016–2021) in the following databases: e-Library, PubMed, Oxford Press, Clinical Keys, Springer, Elsevier, Google Scholar. For the diagnosis of acute and chronic BP and the assessment of the characteristics of its course in dynamics, both a standardized study may be use: collection of complaints, anamnesis, objective examination, assessment of neurological status, as well as valid scales and questionnaires. For the timely diagnosis and monitoring of the development of BP in patients, a wide range of scales and questionnaires were proposed, which were conventionally ranked into 4 groups: scales for assessing the quality of life of patients with BP; scales for assessing the characteristics of pain in BP; scales for assessing the outcomes of the disease in BP; scales for assessing disability in BP. The first part of the thematic review presents an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of scales for assessing the quality of life of patients with BP. These perspective scales for assessing the quality of life of patients with BP are popular in the world neurological practice. It is necessary to adapt to the use in domestic clinical practice the Stratford Functional Back Pain Scale, the Index of Disability Associated with Pain, The Patient Assessment for Low Back Pain–Impacts.