Factors associated with the time taken for diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Brazil. An online population-based inquiry.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated factors associated with the time, in months, between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis (time taken for diagnosis) of ALS for patients in Brazil, in the year 2014.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: An electronic questionnaire composed of 38 questions was developed and applied through internet-based social networks of patients. From the 210 replies, 194 were considered (86 from women, 108 from men). Most respondents were 51 to 60 years old. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the time taken for diagnosis between the strata of the sample.

RESULTS: The mean time taken for diagnosis was 14.21 (±16.87) months. There was a statistically significant difference only for higher education conditions (p = 0.009) and low education status (p = 0.042). There was no statistically significant difference between sexes, bulbar onset, age groups, and the presence of spouse, or 'partnership with ALS patients associations or exchange of experiences'.

CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the time taken for diagnosis of ALS is influenced by socioeconomic conditions that promote access to information and/or health services.