Abstract Details

Title The influence of arable crops on ALS risk and age at onset: a population-based study

Topic General Neurology

Presentation(s) S19 - Neuroepidemiology (4:30 PM-4:42 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 006

Background

Several environmental risk factors, such as agricultural workers, have been related to ALS risk, but with inconsistent results. Regarding phenotypic heterogeneity, a recent study failed to identify possible environmental factors underlying ALS clinical presentation.

Objective We investigated the effect of living near to specific agricultural crops on the ALS risk, age at onset and other phenotypical variables.

Design/Methods

All ALS patients (diagnosis 2007-2014) belong to the Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Register (PARALS). Using Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) data, we established the geographical distribution of agricultural areas in the same period. We calculated the area covered by each culture and patients smoothed incidence and we compared them using linear regression. A proximity score for each environmental factor was calculated using the area of the environmental component enclosed by a circle centered on the residence address, (variable radii 100-2000 meters).

Results

The regression model for arable crops confirmed a linear increase in ALS incidence in the municipalities with a larger area covered by arable crops. Median incidence increased from 0.75 (IQR 0.00-1.26) cases/100.000/year in municipalities with no area covered by arable crops to 1.81 (IQR 0.75-4.11) cases/100.000/year where arable crops covered more than 60% of total municipality area. The proximity score analysis confirmed that arable crops proximity (considering a 500, 1000, 1500 meters radii) significantly reduced the age at onset by about 2 years. Linear regression for proximity score and age at onset, significantly confirm this trend (R= -0.51675, p=0.0245). We confirmed the same trend by subgrouping patients according to sex and site of onset.

Conclusions We confirmed an higher ALS patients incidence for the municipality with high percentage of arable land. Arable land proximity scores resulted to be the related to a significantly reduced median onset age, confirming the presence of possible shared environmental factors that could anticipate disease onset in the exposed population

Authors/Disclosures
Andrea Calvo, MD, PhD, FAAN (Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Turin) PRESENTER	Dr. Calvo has nothing to disclose.
Stefano Callegaro	No disclosure on file
Rosario Vasta, MD (University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences)	Dr. Vasta has nothing to disclose.
Maurizio Grassano, MD (Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Turin)	Dr. Grassano has received research support from American Brain Foundation, ALS Association and American Academy of Neurology.
Antonio Canosa	Antonio Canosa has nothing to disclose.
Sara Cabras	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Enrico Matteoni (AOU "Città Della Salute")	No disclosure on file
Fabiola De Marchi	Fabiola De Marchi has nothing to disclose.
Letizia Mazzini	No disclosure on file
Cristina Moglia (University of Torino)	Cristina Moglia has nothing to disclose.
Adriano Chio, MD, FAAN (Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Turin)	Dr. Chio has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Cytokinetics. Dr. Chio has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Mitsubishi. Dr. Chio has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen.
Umberto Manera, MD (Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini" - University of Torino)	Dr. Manera has nothing to disclose.