Case Series Investigation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Among Former Kelly Air Force Base Workers

摘要

Concerns over a possible cluster of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among former workers at Kelly Air Force Base - (Kelly AFB) prompted a series of scientific investigations. In an attempt to gain insight into the occupational, environmental and lifestyle exposure histories of persons with ALS (PALS), the ALS Association-South Texas Chapter and the Air Force Institute for Operational Health (AFIOH, formerly the Air Force Institute for Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Risk Analysis, or AFIERA) collaborated on a case series investigation of persons linked to Kelly AFB who reported having ALS. In all, ninety-three PALS returned questionnaires that were included in the final analysis. Using reported prevalence figures as a comparison, PALS appeared similar to other ALS cases and U.S. adults for ALS disease course, recreational, immunization, infection/trauma, tobacco use, alcohol use, and family medical histories. Historically, these cases may have been more physically active than other ALS case series and U.S. adults, perhaps due to a 'healthy worker' or 'healthy soldier effect.' The limitations of the study, including the highly heterogeneous population, amount of proxy report, absence of a control group, length of the questionnaire, and use of generalized comparison figures, must be considered when discussing and interpreting the results.