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Published on: June 30, 2014
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) functional rating scale: PLS-specific clinimetric scale
Hiroshi Mitsumoto1, Codruta Chiuzan2, Madison Gilmore1
1Department of Neurology, Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center, Columbia University Irvine Medical Center, New York, New York.
Introduction:
Our research aim was to develop a novel clinimetric scale sensitive enough to detect disease progression in primary lateral sclerosis (PLS).
Methods:
A prototype of the PLS Functional Rating Scale (PLSFRS) was generated. Seventy-seven participants with PLS were enrolled and evaluated at 21 sites that comprised the PLSFRS study group. Participants were assessed using the PLSFRS, Neuro-Quality of Life (QoL), Schwab-England Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and the Clinical Global Impression of Change scales. Participants completed telephone assessments at 12, 24, and 48 weeks after enrollment.
Results:
The PLSFRS demonstrated internal consistency as well as intrarater, interrater, telephone test-retest reliability, and construct validity. Significant changes in disease progression were detected at 6 and 12 months; changes measured by the PLSFRS vs the ALSFRS-R were significantly higher.
Discussion:
The PLSFRS is a valid tool to assess the natural history of PLS in a shorter study period.
