Motor Neuron Disease in Hong Kong Chinese: Epidemiology and Clinical Picture

Abstract

This study documents the clinical features, incidence and prevalence of motor neuron disease (MND) in Hong Kong Chinese. Patients with MND who were alive between 1989 and 1992 were recruited by retrieval of medical records from the four major hospitals in Hong Kong, and by referral of neurologists, neurosurgeons and medical consultants. Mortality statistics was provided by the Census and Statistics Department. A total of 84 cases were identified with a male preponderance of 1.98:1. The average annual period incidence was 0.31/100,000 and the point prevalence on December 31,1992, was 0.95/100,000. The mean age at onset was 55.5 years (range 19–81) with a peak observed from 55 to 65 years. The clinical features are similar to other reported series of MND. The incidence and mortality of MND in Hong Kong are therefore lower than the worldwide figures of 2.0/100,000 and 1.5/ 100,000, respectively.

Epidemiology and Medical Expenses of Motor Neuron Diseases in Taiwan

“…The average incidence of MND was 0.31 per 100,000/year in Hong Kong Chinese between 1989 and 1992 [13] and 160 increased to 0.60 per 100,000/year during 1997-2002 [12] . The crude incidence rate of sporadic MND from 1980 to 1989 was 0.69 per 100,000/year on Japan's Hokkaido island [15] .…”

“…Aside from cluster areas of MND in the Kii peninsula of Japan and Guam [8][9][10][11] , only a few epidemiological studies of MND have been carried out in Asia [12][13][14][15] . The average incidence of MND was 0.31 per 100,000/year in Hong Kong Chinese between 1989 and 1992 [13] and 160 increased to 0.60 per 100,000/year during 1997-2002 [12] .…”

Motor Neuron Disease

“…However, a lower incidence rate of 0.3/100,000 person-years was reported among Asian population, in China, (Fong, et al 1996).…”

Incidence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Among American Indians and Alaska Natives

“…Rates of ALS may be lower in black African, Asian, and Hispanic populations. 3,27,32,33 Africans have greater variability in expression of some genes than their European descendants, which is one possible explanation for the higher risk of ALS among whites in North American and Europe than among African Americans. Asians, the presumed ancestors of today's AI/ANs, also have greater variability in the expression of some genes and appear to have a lower incidence of ALS than whites.…”

“…Asians, the presumed ancestors of today's AI/ANs, also have greater variability in the expression of some genes and appear to have a lower incidence of ALS than whites. 32,33 In the ongoing search for susceptibility genes, studying particular racial groups, such as AI/ANs, might facilitate the identification of new mutations. 31 Underascertainment and health disparities could also contribute to the lower rates detected in this study.…”