Pattern of degenerative ataxias in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

The patterns of degenerative ataxias as seen over a six year period at the King Fahad Hospital of the University, Al Khobar in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia are reported. Twenty two cases were seen, giving a hospital frequency of 7/100,000 patients. Early onset ataxias were the most common, particularly Friedreich disease (9/22). Uncommon types such as ataxia with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and ataxia with oculomotor apraxia were encountered. There were six late onset ataxias: "pure cerebellar" ataxias were the most common. These data are discussed and compared with other reports, keeping in mind that these disorders are evelotive and their nosologic patterns can change with their progression.