[Symptomatic treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]

During a twelve year period 58 patients with motor neurone disease were admitted to the Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital. The medical records were reviewed and different aspects of symptomatic treatment for these patients were recorded retrospectively. After the first admission 55% of the patients received out-patient treatment, while 31% had no further contact to the Department of Neurology. Forty-nine patients developed bulbar symptoms. Of these patients 41% were referred to a laryngologist, 27% were referred to a speech therapist and 10% to a nutritionist. Seven patients had a gastrostomy, while feeding tube was used by at least six patients. At the time of follow up 49 patients had died, 63% in hospital. At least 22 patients were treated with morphine in the last period of their lives. In order to improve the symptomatic treatment in motor neurone disease we suggest that these patients are treated at the neurological departments by interdisciplinary teams with particular interest in motor neurone disease.