Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatial clustering of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Finland at place of birth and place of death.
AU - Sabel, C. E.
AU - Boyle, P. J.
AU - Löytönen, M.
AU - Gatrell, Anthony C.
AU - Jokelainen, M.
AU - Flowerdew, R.
AU - Maasilta, P.
PY - 2003/5
Y1 - 2003/5
N2 - Previous evidence for spatial clustering of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is inconclusive. Studies that have identified apparent clusters have often been based on a small number of cases, which means the results may have occurred by chance processes. Also, most studies have used the geographic location at the time of death as the basis for cluster detection, rather than exploring clusters at other points in the life cycle. In this study, the authors examine 1,000 cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis distributed throughout Finland who died between June 1985 and December 1995. Using a spatial-scan statistic, the authors examine whether there are significant clusters of the disease at both time of birth and time of death. Two significant, neighboring clusters were identified in southeast and south-central Finland at the time of death. A single significant cluster was identified in southeast Finland at the time of birth, closely matching one of the clusters identified at the time of death. These results are based on a large sample of cases, and they provide convincing evidence of spatial clustering of this condition. The results demonstrate also that, if the cluster analysis is conducted at different stages of the cases’ life cycle, different conclusions about where potential risk factors may exist might result.
AB - Previous evidence for spatial clustering of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is inconclusive. Studies that have identified apparent clusters have often been based on a small number of cases, which means the results may have occurred by chance processes. Also, most studies have used the geographic location at the time of death as the basis for cluster detection, rather than exploring clusters at other points in the life cycle. In this study, the authors examine 1,000 cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis distributed throughout Finland who died between June 1985 and December 1995. Using a spatial-scan statistic, the authors examine whether there are significant clusters of the disease at both time of birth and time of death. Two significant, neighboring clusters were identified in southeast and south-central Finland at the time of death. A single significant cluster was identified in southeast Finland at the time of birth, closely matching one of the clusters identified at the time of death. These results are based on a large sample of cases, and they provide convincing evidence of spatial clustering of this condition. The results demonstrate also that, if the cluster analysis is conducted at different stages of the cases’ life cycle, different conclusions about where potential risk factors may exist might result.
KW - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
KW - cluster analysis
KW - geography
U2 - 10.1093/aje/kwg090
DO - 10.1093/aje/kwg090
M3 - Journal article
VL - 157
SP - 898
EP - 905
JO - American Journal of Epidemiology
JF - American Journal of Epidemiology
SN - 1476-6256
IS - 10
ER -