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Background and purposeEnergy metabolism is altered in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but the role of diabetes is largely unknown.

MethodsA population-based case-control study was conducted of 5108 ALS cases and 25540 individually matched population controls during 1991-2010. Information on ALS and pre-existing diabetes was retrieved from the Swedish Patient Register to explore the association of ALS with diabetes overall and with insulin-dependent or non-insulin-dependent diabetes specifically. Variation of the association by diabetes duration and age was also studied.

ResultsIn total, 224 ALS cases (4.39%) and 1437 controls (5.63%) had diabetes before the index date, leading to an overall inverse association between diabetes and ALS risk [odds ratio (OR)0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI)0.68-0.91]. The association was strong for non-insulin-dependent diabetes (OR0.66, 95% CI0.53-0.81) but not for insulin-dependent diabetes (OR0.83, 95% CI0.60-1.15) and varied as a function of diabetes duration, with the strongest association observed around 6years after first ascertainment of diabetes. The association was age-specific; the inverse association was noted only amongst individuals aged 70 or older. In contrast, for younger individuals (<50years), pre-existing insulin-dependent diabetes was associated with a higher ALS risk (OR5.38, 95% CI1.87-15.51).

ConclusionsOur study suggests that there is an association between diabetes and ALS, and highlights the importance of taking into account age, insulin dependence and diabetes duration. Future studies should explore whether the association is independent of body mass index.

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