Background: Epidemiological studies highlighted the possibility that exposure to cyanotoxins leads to the development of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: We devised a population-based case-control study in two Italian populations. We used residential proximity of the residence to water bodies as a measure of possible exposure to cyanotoxins. Results: Based on 703 newly-diagnosed ALS cases and 2737 controls, we calculated an ALS odds ratio (OR) of 1.41 (95% CI: 0.72-2.74) for current residence in the vicinity of water bodies, and a slightly lower estimate for historical residence (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.57-2.99). Younger subjects had a slighter higher OR compared with subjects > 65 years (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 0.59-4.17). The Northern Italy province of Modena showed the highest OR, especially when historical residence was considered. Conclusions: Though we used an indirect index of exposure, susceptible to misclassification, our results offer some support for the hypothesis that cyanotoxin exposure increases ALS risk.

Living near waterbodies as a proxy of cyanobacteria exposure and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a population based case-control study

Maria Fiore;Roberto Parisio;Valerio Mantione;Armando Platania;Carlo Signorelli;Antonio Cristaldi;Pietro Zuccarello;Gea Oliveri Conti;Alessandra Nicoletti;Mario Zappia;Marco Vinceti;Margherita Ferrante
2020-01-01

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies highlighted the possibility that exposure to cyanotoxins leads to the development of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: We devised a population-based case-control study in two Italian populations. We used residential proximity of the residence to water bodies as a measure of possible exposure to cyanotoxins. Results: Based on 703 newly-diagnosed ALS cases and 2737 controls, we calculated an ALS odds ratio (OR) of 1.41 (95% CI: 0.72-2.74) for current residence in the vicinity of water bodies, and a slightly lower estimate for historical residence (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.57-2.99). Younger subjects had a slighter higher OR compared with subjects > 65 years (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 0.59-4.17). The Northern Italy province of Modena showed the highest OR, especially when historical residence was considered. Conclusions: Though we used an indirect index of exposure, susceptible to misclassification, our results offer some support for the hypothesis that cyanotoxin exposure increases ALS risk.
2020
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Cyanotoxins, Case-control study, Epidemiology, Risk.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/426856
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