Conjugal amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a report on a couple from Sardinia, Italy

Abstract

A conjugal case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) observed in Sardinia, Italy is reported. This is believed to be the ninth such observation described in the literature. The couple had lived together for 38 years in a house adjacent to the distillery they owned. No exogenous factors were revealed which could explain the genesis of the disease in either patients. Particularly, exposure to alcohol does not appear to have been involved in causing ALS. On the basis of statistical and epidemiological evaluations, the most likely explanation is that this association was purely coincidental.

A Clustering of Conjugal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Southeastern France

“…If a common toxic exposure between spouses cannot be ascertained, it seems nevertheless important to point to the fact that the mean conjugal lifetime before the first ALS case is long (25 years). This has already been stressed in the review of literature by Rachele et al 18 The incidence of ALS in France is estimated to be 5 incidents per 100000. 21 The lifetime risk of ALS in France is 1 per 658 people for men and 1 per 1054 people for women.…”

Metal Concentrations in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood Plasma from Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

“…Altogether about 20 pairs of conjugal ALS have been published (Dewitt et al 2012). The statistical support for conjugal ALS appearing by chance has been discussed (Rachele et al 1998). The value of conjugal cases for an understanding of the environmental influence of metals has also been emphasized (Chio et al 2001).…”

Spatial analysis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Northern New England, USA, 1997-2009

“…A few countries have also reported higher disease rates in the northern latitudes which could suggest an environmental risk factor for the disease. Conjugal motor neuron disease has been described and convincingly suggests an environmental trigger . There are many reports in the literature of spatial clusters of ALS occurring in specific regions, including Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Western Pacific .…”

“…Conjugal motor neuron disease has been described and convincingly suggests an environmental trigger. [9][10][11] There are many reports in the literature of spatial clusters of ALS occurring in specific regions, including Europe, 8,[12][13][14] the United States, [15][16][17][18] Asia, 19,20 and the Western Pacific. [21][22][23][24] In some of these reports, the authors postulated the higher incidence may be related to environmental factors.…”