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Published on: March 4, 2014
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Prognostic Factors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Study
Mirian Conceicao Moura1, Maria Rita Carvalho Garbi Novaes2, Emanoel Junio Eduardo3
1Hospital Regional da Asa Norte, State Secretariat of Health of the Federal District, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Plos One
|October 31, 2015
Summary
Older age, low BMI, and bulbar onset predict shorter survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. These prognostic factors are crucial for understanding ALS progression and patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
- Identifying prognostic factors at diagnosis is crucial for patient management and outcome prediction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine prognostic factors associated with survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the time of diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective population-based study of 218 ALS patients treated with riluzole (2005-2014).
- Analysis of clinical data and mortality records from Brazil.
- Cox multivariate regression analysis to identify survival predictors.
Main Results:
- Worse prognosis linked to body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 (RR: 3.56), age >75 years (RR: 12.47), and bulbar-onset (RR: 4.56).
- Mean survival was 45.7 months for men and 39.3 months for women.
- Electromyography confirmed diagnosis in only 44.4% of suspected and 72.1% of bulbar-onset cases.
Conclusions:
- Age >75 years, BMI <25 kg/m2, and bulbar-onset are associated with significantly lower survival in ALS.
- These factors can aid in predicting prognosis for ALS patients at diagnosis.
