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Kassahun Bekele B, Kwizera L, Abdul Razzak R, Alfadul ES, Anand A, Wojtara M, Nazir A, Uwishema O. ALS in Africa: current knowledge and exciting opportunities for future study - short communication. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2023; 85:5827-5830. [PMID: 37915644 PMCID: PMC10617860 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that can present with motor and extra-motor manifestations. Its global prevalence is 4.42 per 1 000 000, and it has a high mortality rate. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, 15 per 100 000 develop ALS mainly between their 40s and 60s and only one-fourth of them have access to treatment. ALS was found to be not only affected by genetic variation but also by the patient's mood and lifestyle. In Africa, males and younger people tend to be affected with ALS and rarely present with bulbar onset. ALS diagnosis is very challenging due to the lack of ALS-specific biomarkers and the sharing of some clinical features with other syndromes. ALS treatment is mainly riluzole and supportive treatment via nasogastric tube and ventilatory support. The access to treatment in Africa is very limited, thus a very bad prognosis with a median survival time of 14 months post-diagnosis. Further research is needed to assess the real situation in Africa and to try to closely monitor patients suffering from ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bezawit Kassahun Bekele
- Oli Health Magazine Organization, Research and Education
- Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- George Washington University, Milken Institute of Public Health, Washington DC
| | - Lambert Kwizera
- Oli Health Magazine Organization, Research and Education
- AgriConsult Group Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Rawane Abdul Razzak
- Oli Health Magazine Organization, Research and Education
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Esraa S.A. Alfadul
- Oli Health Magazine Organization, Research and Education
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ayush Anand
- Oli Health Magazine Organization, Research and Education
- BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Magda Wojtara
- Oli Health Magazine Organization, Research and Education
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Abubakar Nazir
- Oli Health Magazine Organization, Research and Education
- Department of Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Pakistan
| | - Olivier Uwishema
- Oli Health Magazine Organization, Research and Education
- Clinton Global Initiative University, New York, New York, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
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2
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Sulistyo A, Abrahao A, Freitas ME, Ritsma B, Zinman L. Enteral tube feeding for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 8:CD004030. [PMID: 37579081 PMCID: PMC10413437 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd004030.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintaining adequate nutrition is critical for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND). Enteral tube feeding is offered to people experiencing difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) to prevent weight loss and aspiration pneumonia. Among the types of enteral tube feeding, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the typical procedure offered to people with ALS and will be mainly discussed here. OBJECTIVES To examine the effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy or other enteral tube feeding in people with ALS, compared to oral feeds without enteral tube feeding on: 1. survival; 2. nutritional status; 3. quality of life. To examine the incidence of minor and major complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and other enteral tube feeding procedures in people with ALS. SEARCH METHODS On 3 January 2020 and 6 February 2021, we searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE. Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP. We screened the results to identify randomized controlled studies on enteral tube feeding in ALS. We reviewed all references from the search in published articles to identify any additional references. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, and cross-over trials evaluating the effectiveness and complications of PEG or other enteral tube feeding placement in ALS. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS We found no RCTs or quasi-RCTs comparing the effectiveness of enteral tube feeding versus oral feeds without enteral tube feeding. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There are no RCTs or quasi-RCTs to indicate whether enteral tube feeding is effective compared to continuation of oral feeding for any of the outcome measures. Such RCTs are very unlikely to be performed for ethical reasons. RCTs evaluating the effect of different enteral tube insertion techniques and timings of tube placement on survival and quality of life of people with ALS dysphagia are feasible and warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne Sulistyo
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Agessandro Abrahao
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maria Eliza Freitas
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Benjamin Ritsma
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Queen's University, Providence Care Hospital, Kingston , Canada
| | - Lorne Zinman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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3
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Melka D, Demisse H, Assefa H, Zenebe Y, A Ayele B, Awraris M, Gelan Y, Kifelew S, Fedlu M, Tsehayneh F, Zebenigus M, Alemayehu S, Tesfaye H, Gulelat H, Guta T, Tafesse A, Bekele N, Saez M, Veldink JH, Al-Chalabi A, Povedano M, Al Khleifat A. Epidemiological and clinical profile of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Ethiopia: a 5-year multicenter retrospective study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37496277 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2238016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive weakness of skeletal muscles including respiratory muscles. Epidemiological and clinical aspects of ALS are derived from a few world regions with very little representation of low- and middle-income countries. We therefore set out to determine the epidemiological and clinical phenotype of individuals with ALS in Ethiopia. Methods: Multicenter retrospective analysis was conducted using clinical records from ALS patients seen in Ethiopia at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and Yehuleshet specialty clinic between January 2016 and August 2021. The data collected included clinical characteristics, disease-related symptoms, a revised ALS functional rating scale, and medications. Results: Patients in Ethiopia had a younger age of onset with a mean age of disease onset of 51.9 years. 2.9% of patients had juvenile ALS, and the male-to-female ratio was almost 2:1. 4.9% had a positive family history of the disease. 68% of patients had spinal region involvement at onset, while 32% had bulbar region involvement at onset. Riluzole was used by 31% of ALS patients. 20.6% of patients had some respiratory symptoms, but none received a standard respiratory function assessment. 33.3% of patients were wheelchair-bound. Conclusion: In this retrospective study spanning 5 years, we examined the clinical phenotype of ALS in Ethiopian patients. Our findings suggest that most patients had clinically definite ALS with spinal region involvement. Further research, including genetic and epigenetic information, is necessary to understand the early onset of the disease in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dereje Melka
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Hanna Demisse
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Hanna Assefa
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yared Zenebe
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Biniyam A Ayele
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Meron Awraris
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yohannese Gelan
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Selam Kifelew
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Medina Fedlu
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Fikiru Tsehayneh
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mehila Zebenigus
- Department of Neurology, Yehuleshet Specialty Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Samson Alemayehu
- Department of Neurology, Yehuleshet Specialty Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | | | - Tsega Guta
- Yehuleshet Specialty Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abenet Tafesse
- Department of Neurology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Nebiyu Bekele
- Department of Internal Medicine Neurology Unit, College of Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Marc Saez
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública/Center for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health Network (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical, Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK, and
| | - Monica Povedano
- Department of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ahmad Al Khleifat
- Department of Basic and Clinical, Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK, and
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Floudiotis N, Modi G, Mochan A. Motor neuron disease in black African patients at a tertiary care hospital in Soweto, South Africa. J Neurol Sci 2023; 451:120710. [PMID: 37379726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In this brief report, we describe the nature of ALS in a South African cohort of patients of Black African ancestry - a population which has been historically understudied. METHODS We performed a chart review of all patients attending the ALS/MND clinic at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, during the period 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2020. Cross-sectional demographic and clinical data captured at the time of diagnosis was collected. RESULTS Seventy-one patients were included in the study. Males constituted 66% (n = 47), with a male to female sex ratio of 2:1. The median age at onset of symptoms was 46 years (IQR 40-57) with a median disease duration at diagnosis (diagnostic delay) of 2 years (IQR 1-3). The onset was spinal in 76% and bulbar in 23%. The median ALSFRS-R score at time of presentation was 29 (IQR 23-38.5). The median ALSFRS-R slope (unit/month) was 0.80 (IQR 0.43-1.39). Sixty five patients (92%) were diagnosed with the classic ALS phenotype. Fourteen patients were known to be HIV positive, and of those, 12 were on antiretroviral treatment (ART). None of the patients had familial ALS. CONCLUSION Our findings of an earlier age at symptom onset and seemingly advanced disease at presentation in patients with Black African ancestry support the existing literature on the African population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niki Floudiotis
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road Parktown, 2193 Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Girish Modi
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road Parktown, 2193 Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Andre Mochan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road Parktown, 2193 Johannesburg, South Africa.
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5
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Oliveira Santos M, Gromicho M, Pinto S, Pronto-Laborinho AC, de Carvalho M. Clinical characteristics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with Sub-Saharan Africa ancestry - A Portuguese hospital-based cohort study. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2023; 227:107674. [PMID: 36933404 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.107674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Oliveira Santos
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-JLA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-JLA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Pinto
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-JLA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Catarina Pronto-Laborinho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-JLA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular-JLA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
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6
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Luna J, Jost J, Diagana M, Ait Aissa L, Tazir M, Ali Pacha L, Kacem I, Gouider R, Henning F, Basse A, Cisse O, Balogou AK, Kombate D, Agbetou M, Houinato D, Gnonlonfoun DD, Millogo A, Agba T, Belo M, Sengxeu N, Hamidou B, Preux PM, Benoit M, Couratier P. Clinical management and disease-modifying treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in African hospital centers: the TROPALS study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 23:279-283. [PMID: 34459327 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1961806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To assess the availability of health workers and medications for clinical management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in African hospital centers. Availability and affordability analyses of disease-modifying treatments were performed. Methods: A multicenter observational study involving African hospitals was conducted. A standard questionnaire was developed based on the European Federation of the Neurological Societies (EFNS) guidelines. We collected data on multidisciplinary care and availability of medicines. The availability and affordability were evaluated according to the WHO guidelines. Results: Nine hospital centers from eight African countries participated. We observed a low degree of implementation of multidisciplinary care in ALS management. Riluzole was only available in centers from South Africa, Senegal, Tunisia, and Togo. This treatment was unaffordable and the adjusted price was highly variable among countries. The cost of riluzole was partly or fully covered by patients, which implies a substantial economic burden. Conclusion: Our findings strengthen the need to promote multidisciplinary care in the clinical management of ALS in Africa. Disease-modifying medication should be both available and affordable. Local and international collaboration is needed to improve ALS health care access in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Luna
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France.,Department of Neurology, CHU Limoges, Centre de Référence SLA et autres maladies du neurone moteur, Limoges, France
| | - Jeremy Jost
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Mouhamadou Diagana
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France.,Neurology Department, CHU de Nouakchott, Mauritania
| | - Leila Ait Aissa
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Neurosciences Université Benyoucef Benkhedda, Alger 1, Service de Neurologie CHU Mustapha, Algérie
| | - Meriem Tazir
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Neurosciences Université Benyoucef Benkhedda, Alger 1, Service de Neurologie CHU Mustapha, Algérie
| | - Lamia Ali Pacha
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Neurosciences Université Benyoucef Benkhedda, Alger 1, Service de Neurologie CHU Mustapha, Algérie
| | - Imen Kacem
- Department of Neurology, LR18SP03, Clinical Investigation Center of Neurosciences and Mental Health , Universitary Hospital Razi-Mannouba, Tunis, Tunisia, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Riadh Gouider
- Department of Neurology, LR18SP03, Clinical Investigation Center of Neurosciences and Mental Health , Universitary Hospital Razi-Mannouba, Tunis, Tunisia, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Franclo Henning
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Anna Basse
- Neurology Department, CHNU Fann, UCAD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Ousmane Cisse
- Neurology Department, CHNU Fann, UCAD, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | | | - Mendinatou Agbetou
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Chronic and Neurologic Diseases Epidemiology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Bénin; Neurology Unit, CNHU Cotonou, Cotonou, Bénin
| | - Dismand Houinato
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Chronic and Neurologic Diseases Epidemiology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Bénin; Neurology Unit, CNHU Cotonou, Cotonou, Bénin
| | - Dieu Donné Gnonlonfoun
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Chronic and Neurologic Diseases Epidemiology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Bénin; Neurology Unit, CNHU Cotonou, Cotonou, Bénin
| | - Athanase Millogo
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France.,Neurology Department, CHU Sourô Sanou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Université Joseph Ki- Zerbo Burkina Faso, and
| | | | | | - Noudy Sengxeu
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Bello Hamidou
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Pierre-Marie Preux
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Marin Benoit
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Philippe Couratier
- INSERM, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France.,Department of Neurology, CHU Limoges, Centre de Référence SLA et autres maladies du neurone moteur, Limoges, France
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Edgar S, Abdul-Aziz NA, Loh EC, Capelle D, Goh KJ, Latif LA, Shahrizaila N, Ahmad-Annuar A. A survey on patients' disease perception and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Malaysia. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2021; 11:307-314. [PMID: 34284643 PMCID: PMC8320654 DOI: 10.2217/nmt-2021-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To investigate the patients' perception of their disease, its management and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Malaysia. Patients & methods: An online survey comprising 42 questions was conducted on ALS patients during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Responses were received from 37/60 (62%) participants with ALS directly or through their caregivers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, two-thirds of patients were negatively impacted by the sudden disruption to their hospital appointments, rehabilitation sessions and reduced social interactions. Conclusion: This study provided insight into patients' perception of their care and management of ALS in Malaysia which will facilitate in implementing changes that can improve care to persons living with this devastating illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanna Edgar
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia.,Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Nur Adilah Abdul-Aziz
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Ee Chin Loh
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - David Capelle
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Khean-Jin Goh
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Lydia Abdul Latif
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Nortina Shahrizaila
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
| | - Azlina Ahmad-Annuar
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia
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8
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Chen L, Xu L, Tang L, Xia K, Tian D, Zhang G, Wang Y, Yu Z, Ma J, Zhang Y, Wang F, Sun C, Zhang G, Fu J, Jiao L, Yilihamu M, Wang S, Zhan S, Fan D. Trends in the clinical features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A 14-year Chinese cohort study. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:2893-2900. [PMID: 34048130 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The aim was to determine the transitional patterns in the clinical characteristics, treatments and comorbidities in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients over the past 14 years using data from a large clinical cohort in mainland China. METHODS Sporadic ALS patients who visited the Peking University Third Hospital from January 2005 to December 2018 were included in this study. The 14 years were divided into three periods, and changes in the baseline characteristics of the participants were analyzed at 5-year intervals. RESULTS In total, 3410 patients with sporadic ALS were recruited: 2181 were men and 1229 were women. The proportion of patients with bulbar-onset ALS increased from 13.0% in 2005-2009 to 19.5% in 2015-2018 (p < 0.001). The mean (standard deviation) age at onset increased from 49.5 (11.4) years in 2005-2009 to 53.0 (11.0) years in 2015-2018 (p < 0.001). ALS patients with diabetes or hypertension showed a delay in ALS onset, and the delay was even more apparent when the patients had both comorbidities. The proportion of riluzole users in 2015-2018 was approximately 2.5-fold of that in 2005-2009 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In the context of a lack of clinical data on ALS in mainland China, this study evaluated a large cohort of patients diagnosed over a 14-year period. The age at onset and percentage of patients who used riluzole both increased over the study period. Additionally, it was found that patients with comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension had a delayed age of ALS onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Tang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kailin Xia
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Danyang Tian
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Gan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhou Yu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyue Ma
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yixuan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Can Sun
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Gaoqi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayu Fu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mubalake Yilihamu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shengfeng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Siyan Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Research Center of Clinical Epidemiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Center for Intelligent Public Health, Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission/Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
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9
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Abdul Aziz NA, Toh TH, Goh KJ, Loh EC, Capelle DP, Abdul Latif L, Leow AHR, Yim CCW, Zainal Abidin MF, Ruslan SR, Shahrizaila N. Natural history and clinical features of ALS in Malaysia. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 22:108-116. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1832121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nur Adilah Abdul Aziz
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Tsun-Haw Toh
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Khean-Jin Goh
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ee-Chin Loh
- Palliative Care Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - David Paul Capelle
- Palliative Care Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lydia Abdul Latif
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Alex Hwong-Ruey Leow
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Carolyn Chue-Wai Yim
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Fitry Zainal Abidin
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shairil Rahayu Ruslan
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nortina Shahrizaila
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Henning F, Heckmann JM, Naidu K, Vlok L, Cross HM, Marin B. Incidence of motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in South Africa: a 4-year prospective study. Eur J Neurol 2020; 28:81-89. [PMID: 32888367 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Little is known about the epidemiological features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in sub-Saharan Africa, and data from the region are limited to clinical series or case reports. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence rate and presentation of ALS in an ethnically diverse region of South Africa. METHODS We performed a 4-year prospective incidence study in the Western Cape Province of South Africa between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2018, and used a two-source capture-recapture method for case ascertainment. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates (ASAIRs) were calculated using the 2010 US population as the reference. RESULTS A total of 203 incident cases were identified over the study period, resulting in a crude incidence rate (IR) of 1.09 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.24] per 100 000 person-years in the at-risk population (aged >15 years). Capture-recapture analysis resulted in an estimated IR of 1.11 (95% CI 1.01-1.22) per 100 000 person-years. The ASAIR was 1.67 (95% CI 1.09-2.26) overall; 1.99 (95% CI 1.60-2.39) for men and 1.37 (95% CI 1.06-1.68) for women. When analysed separately, there was a substantial difference in ASAIRs between the different population groups, with the highest in the European ancestry group (2.62; 95% CI 2.49-2.75), the lowest in the African ancestry group (0.56, 95% CI 0.0-1.23), and an ASAIR in between these two in the mixed ancestry group (1.09, 95% CI 0.80-1.37). CONCLUSION The overall incidence of ALS in the Western Cape Province of South Africa appears to be lower than in North African and Western countries, but higher than in Asian countries. As suggested by previous epidemiological studies, ALS may be less frequent in people of African ancestry.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Henning
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - J M Heckmann
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - K Naidu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - L Vlok
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - H M Cross
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - B Marin
- Ministere de la Sante et des Solidarites, Cellule Interministérielle Recherche MSS/MESRI, Paris, France
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Riancho J. Differences between South African and Portuguese ALS cohorts from an environmental perspective. J Neurol Sci 2020; 414:116933. [PMID: 32461029 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Javier Riancho
- Service of Neurology, Hospital Sierrallana, Torrelavega, Spain; Insitute of Research Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
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Authors' reply: Differences between South African and Portuguese ALS cohorts from an environmental perspective. J Neurol Sci 2020; 414:116932. [PMID: 32471660 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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