The Burden of Motor Neuron Diseases in the United States, 1990-2021: A Systematic Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Introduction/aims: There is a lack of up-to-date information on the burden of motor neuron diseases (MNDs) in the United States (US). This study aimed to estimate trends in the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for MNDs in the US from 1990 to 2021.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of MNDs in the US using estimates of prevalence, incidence, and mortality obtained from analyses of the Global Burden of Disease 2021 dataset. These data were generated using DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool. Estimates were analyzed by age group, sex, region, and sociodemographic index (SDI).

Results: In 2021, the age-standardized prevalence rate of MNDs in the US was 8.82 (95% uncertainty interval, 7.96-9.74) per 100,000, a 12.89% (3.10-23.66) increase from 1990 (7.82 per 100,000). Age-standardized MND-related DALY and mortality rates in 2021 were 41.36 (39.47-42.94) and 1.49 (1.38-1.56) per 100,000, respectively, increases of 4.14% (0.41%-7.68%) and 18.34% (13.86%-22.70%) compared to 1990. Geographic disparities were observed, with the West North Central reporting the highest DALY rates and the Middle Atlantic showing the lowest. The burden of MNDs was consistently greater in males across all metrics, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1.4:1. SDI was negatively correlated with age-standardized DALYs, years of life lost, and mortality rates.

Discussion: The observed burden of MNDs in the US highlights the necessity for targeted public health interventions; equitable resource distribution; and further research into environmental, genetic, and sociodemographic factors that contribute to MNDs.