Bowel, bladder, and sudomotor symptoms in ALS patients

To describe prevalence rates of bowel, bladder, and sudomotor symptoms in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in relation to disease onset and progression. Treatment strategies and efficacies were also assessed.

A pilot patient cohort revealed increased incidences of bowel/bladder and sudomotor symptoms. Questionnaires derived from formal bowel and bladder survey instruments were administered to a second cohort of patients during multidisciplinary ALS clinic visits.

The pilot cohort of 30 patients reported an increase in bowel symptoms from 17% prior to 70% after the diagnosis of ALS, and an increase in urinary symptoms from 24% to 76%. In the second cohort of 66 patients an increase in constipation from 33% prior to 64.7% after the diagnosis of ALS was reported. 25.4% of patients reported bowel urgency initially, which increased to 33.3% over time. Constipation was most commonly treated with docusate, dietary fiber supplementation, fluid/exercise, and polyethylene glycol. In the second cohort the prevalence of overactive bladder symptoms increased from 3.1% prior to 25.0% after the diagnosis of ALS. Urinary symptoms are most commonly treated with catheters and oxybutynin. A sudomotor survey found stinging eyes in 17.2% of patients, oily/greasy skin in 14.1% of patients, and flaking of the skin in 29.7% of patients.

Bowel and bladder symptoms are common in the ALS population and respond to treatment. Sudomotor symptoms are also common. Inquiring about these symptoms at clinic visits and initiating treatment can significantly improve the patients' quality of life.