Prospective Study of ALS Mortality Among World War II, Korea, and Vietnam Veterans
Abstract
The authors prospectively assessed the association between Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) mortality and self-reported military service in the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS II) cohort, a cohort that includes over 500,000 men who were surveyed by questionnaire in 1982. ALS mortality was assessed via linkage with the National Death Index. Their original analyses included ALS deaths (n = 280) up to 1998. They have now extended the follow-up to 2002 (ALS deaths = 513). Mantel-Haenszel relative risks (RR) adjusted for age and smoking were calculated and Cox proportional hazards models stratified on single year of age were used when adjusting for additional variables. Men who served in the military (69% of their population) had a significantly increased ALS mortality (RR = 1.5) compared to those who did not serve. The increase in ALS mortality was similar among men who served in the Army or National Guard (RR = 1.5), Navy (RR = 1.7), or Air Force (RR = 1.5). This increased risk of ALS appeared largely independent of branch of service, years of service, number of major conflicts during service, and war periods during service (i.e., World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War). The project will continue as planned. The authors will extend the follow-up and examine the possible role of vitamin E supplements in prevention.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA448412
Entities
People
- Alberto Ascherio
Organizations
- Harvard University