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Genuis SK, Luth W, Bubela T, Johnston WS. What do people affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis want from health communications? Evidence from the ALS Talk Project. Muscle Nerve 2023; 68:286-295. [PMID: 37462337 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Health communication is central to effective, supportive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinical care. Guidance for ALS communication is limited, focuses on diagnosis disclosure, and frequently relies on expert consensus and/or reviews. Patient-based evidence is needed to guide ALS health communication. We investigated how the experiences of ALS patients and family caregivers can inform effective communication practices from diagnosis to end-of-life. METHODS Data were drawn from the ALS Talk Project, an asynchronous, online focus group study. Seven focus groups and five interviews (105 participants) were conducted. Data were qualitatively analyzed using directed content analysis and the constant-comparative approach. RESULTS We found four primary themes: communication content, communication circumstances, information sufficiency, and communication manner. Data indicate participants relied on clinicians for medical information but also wanted practical information; health communication should attend to the circumstances within which conversations occur; information must be sufficient for individual needs, without overwhelming; and an empathetic, direct, and honest manner facilitated trust. Participants identified communication challenges and strategies to improve communication across major themes, including stepwise approaches and conversations tailored to individuals and their heterogeneous disease experiences. DISCUSSION Healthcare professionals should discuss patient/caregiver communication preferences early in the therapeutic relationship, co-develop a communication agreement, and update the agreement in response to changing needs and disease progression. This will foster regular discussion of information needs and promote timely discussions of challenging topics, including advance care, while giving patients and families a sense of control. Findings may have implications for other neuromuscular disease and/or seriously ill populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelagh K Genuis
- Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Westerly Luth
- Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tania Bubela
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wendy S Johnston
- Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Perampanel for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:889-897. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-05867-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Gallagher GW, Nowacek D, Gutgsell O, Callaghan BC. Comparison of the United Kingdom and United States approaches to approval of new neuromuscular therapies. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:641-650. [PMID: 34448221 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Many novel therapies are now available for rare neuromuscular conditions that were previously untreatable. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis and spinal muscular atrophy are two examples of diseases with new medications that have transformed our field. The United States and the United Kingdom have taken disparate approaches to the approval and coverage of medications, despite both providing incentives to develop therapies targeting rare diseases. The US requires less evidence for approval when compared with medications for common diseases and does not have a mechanism to ensure or even encourage cost-effectiveness. The Institute of Clinical and Economic Review provides in-depth cost-effectiveness analyses in the US, but does not have the authority to negotiate drug costs. In contrast, the UK has maintained a similar scientific threshold for approval of all therapies, while requiring negotiation with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to ensure that medications are cost-effective for rare diseases. These differences have led to approval of medications for rare diseases in the US that have less evidence than required for common diseases. Importantly, these medications have not been approved in the UK. Even when medications meet traditional scientific thresholds, they uniformly arrive with high list prices in the US, whereas they are available at cost-effective prices in the UK. The main downsides to the UK approach are that cost-effective medications are often available months later than in the US, and some medications remain unavailable.
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Minimizing the Diagnostic Delay in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The Role of Nonneurologist Practitioners. Neurol Res Int 2020; 2020:1473981. [PMID: 32455015 PMCID: PMC7238340 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1473981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), usually fatal in a few years, is a neurodegenerative disorder where the diagnostic delay, although variable according to the studies, remains too long. The main objective of this study was to determine the average time to diagnose ALS and the role of each physician, general practitioner (GP), or specialist (neurologist or not) involved in the management of these patients. The secondary objective was to propose some simple schemes to quickly identify an ALS suspicion with the aim to reduce this delay. Patients and Methods. This retrospective study evaluated the diagnostic delay (and other intermediate delays) of 90 ALS patients registered in the ALS Center of Bordeaux (France) in 2013. The main clinical signs encountered (and their order of appearance) were studied. Results The average diagnostic delay was 17 months, with a median diagnostic delay of 12 months. The average diagnostic delay was 2.7 months between the first symptoms and the first complaint to GP, followed by an additional 6.5 month delay before the patient's first visit to a neurologist. This period could be shortened, especially if GP performed additional tests quickly (p=0.01), as the time spent consulting various specialists often extends this crucial step. Overall, diagnostic delay accounted for 40% of the total duration of the disease progression. Conclusion In relation to total survival time, the diagnostic delay of ALS appears to be proportionately very long, sometimes longer than that observed in previous studies (because it also included the total delay to diagnostic or treatment initiation). The rapid execution of useful additional tests by the first medical doctor, often GP (with the help of a neurologist), considerably reduces the diagnostic delay. The central role of GP seems to be crucial in the management of patients with ALS. The main objective is, of course, to initiate appropriate treatment and care as soon as possible. Finally, based on our results, we also provide a short practical diagram to help nonneurologist practitioners to quickly discuss the diagnosis of ALS in case of some specific symptoms (“red flags”).
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Brizzi K, Paganoni S, Zehm A, De Marchi F, Berry JD. Integration of a palliative care specialist in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic: Observations from one center. Muscle Nerve 2019; 60:137-140. [PMID: 31172537 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Palliative care specialists can aid in the care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this article, we describe our 1-year experience incorporating a palliative care specialist into the ALS multidisciplinary team. We describe our integration model, patient selection, and visit content. Of 500 total clinic patients, 74 (14.8%) were seen by the palliative care specialist in 1 year. Referral was most often triggered by advance care planning needs (91%). In the initial visit with the palliative care specialist, topics most frequently covered included goals of care (84%), anxiety/depression (35%), and medical decision-making about feeding tubes (27%) or tracheostomy (31%). Symptom management comprised a relatively small number of the visits, and duration of visits was limited by patient fatigue. Patients with complex goals of care may benefit from the input of a palliative care specialist, and unique integration models may help to facilitate care delivery. Muscle Nerve 60: 137-140, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Brizzi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, WACC 8, Suite 835, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Sabrina Paganoni
- Healey Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - April Zehm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Healey Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James D Berry
- Healey Center for ALS, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Morelot-Panzini C, Bruneteau G, Gonzalez-Bermejo J. NIV in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: The 'when' and 'how' of the matter. Respirology 2019; 24:521-530. [PMID: 30912216 DOI: 10.1111/resp.13525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has become an essential part of the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since 2006. NIV very significantly improves survival, quality of life and cognitive performances. The initial NIV settings are simple, but progression of the disease, ventilator dependence and upper airway involvement sometimes make long-term adjustment of NIV more difficult, with a major impact on survival. Unique data concerning the long-term adjustment of NIV in ALS show that correction of leaks, management of obstructive apnoea and adaptation to the patient's degree of ventilator dependence improve the prognosis. Non-ventilatory factors also impact the efficacy of NIV and various solutions have been described and must be applied, including cough assist techniques, control of excess salivation and renutrition. NIV in ALS has been considerably improved as a result of application of all of these measures, avoiding the need for tracheostomy in the very great majority of cases. More advanced use of NIV also requires pulmonologists to master the associated end-of-life palliative care, as well as the modalities of discontinuing ventilation when it becomes unreasonable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Capucine Morelot-Panzini
- INSERM, UMRS1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Service de Pneumologie et Réanimation Médicale du Département R3S, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Gaëlle Bruneteau
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Département de Neurologie, Centre Référent SLA, APHP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Jesus Gonzalez-Bermejo
- INSERM, UMRS1158 Neurophysiologie Respiratoire Expérimentale et Clinique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Service de Pneumologie et Réanimation Médicale du Département R3S, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles Foix, Paris, France
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de la Rubia JE, Drehmer E, Platero JL, Benlloch M, Caplliure-Llopis J, Villaron-Casales C, de Bernardo N, AlarcÓn J, Fuente C, Carrera S, Sancho D, GarcÍa-Pardo P, Pascual R, JuÁrez M, Cuerda-Ballester M, Forner A, Sancho-Castillo S, Barrios C, Obrador E, Marchio P, Salvador R, Holmes HE, Dellinger RW, Guarente L, Estrela JM. Efficacy and tolerability of EH301 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human pilot study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 20:115-122. [PMID: 30668199 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1536152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease, characterized by progressive loss of spinal and cortical motor neurons, leading to muscular atrophy, respiratory failure, and ultimately death. There is no known cure, and the clinical benefit of the two drugs approved to treat ALS remains unclear. Novel disease-modifying therapeutics that are able to modulate the disease course are desperately needed. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Elysium Health's candidate drug EH301 in people with ALS (PALS). METHODS This was a single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study. Thirty-two PALS were recruited thanks to the collaboration of the Spanish Foundation for ALS Research (FUNDELA). Study participants were randomized to receive either EH301 or placebo and underwent evaluation for 4 months. Differences between EH301 and placebo-treated participants were evaluated based on standard clinical endpoints, including the revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the Medical Research Council (MRC) grading scale. RESULTS Compared to placebo, participants treated with EH301 demonstrated significant improvements in the ALSFRS-R score, pulmonary function, muscular strength, and in skeletal muscle/fat weight ratio. EH301 was shown to significantly slow the progression of ALS relative to placebo, and even showed improvements in several key outcome measures compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence in support of the disease-modifying effects of EH301 for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- JosÉ E de la Rubia
- a Department of Nursing , Catholic University San Vicente Mártir , Valencia , Spain
| | - Eraci Drehmer
- b Department of Health and Functional Valorization , Catholic University San Vicente Martir , Valencia , Spain
| | - JosÉ L Platero
- a Department of Nursing , Catholic University San Vicente Mártir , Valencia , Spain
| | - MarÍa Benlloch
- a Department of Nursing , Catholic University San Vicente Mártir , Valencia , Spain
| | | | | | - Nieves de Bernardo
- d Department of Physiotherapy , European University of Valencia , Valencia , Spain
| | - Jorge AlarcÓn
- d Department of Physiotherapy , European University of Valencia , Valencia , Spain
| | - Cristian Fuente
- a Department of Nursing , Catholic University San Vicente Mártir , Valencia , Spain
| | - Sandra Carrera
- e Department of Health Sciences , Catholic University San Vicente Martir , Valencia , Spain
| | - David Sancho
- a Department of Nursing , Catholic University San Vicente Mártir , Valencia , Spain
| | | | - Raquel Pascual
- g Rehabilitation Service, General University Hospital , Valencia , Spain
| | | | | | - Alfonso Forner
- a Department of Nursing , Catholic University San Vicente Mártir , Valencia , Spain
| | | | - Carlos Barrios
- i Institute for Research on Musculoskeletal Disorders , Catholic University San Vicente Mártir , Valencia , Spain
| | - Elena Obrador
- j Department of Physiology , University of Valencia , Valencia , Spain
| | | | - Rosario Salvador
- j Department of Physiology , University of Valencia , Valencia , Spain
| | | | | | - Leonard Guarente
- l Elysium Health, Inc. , New York , NY , USA and.,m Department of Biology and Glenn Laboratories for the Science of Aging , MIT , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - José M Estrela
- j Department of Physiology , University of Valencia , Valencia , Spain
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Oliver DJ. Palliative care in motor neurone disease: where are we now? Palliat Care 2019; 12:1178224218813914. [PMID: 30718958 PMCID: PMC6348498 DOI: 10.1177/1178224218813914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Palliative care has a very important role in the care of patients with motor neurone disease and their families. There is increasing emphasis on the multidisciplinary assessment and support of patients within guidelines, supported by research. This includes the telling of the diagnosis, the assessment and management of symptoms, consideration of interventions, such as gastrostomy and ventilatory support, and care at the end of life. The aim of palliative care is to enable patients, and their families, to maintain as good a quality of life as possible and helping to ensure a peaceful death.
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Cai M, Yang EJ. Gamisoyo-San Ameliorates Neuroinflammation in the Spinal Cord of hSOD1 G93A Transgenic Mice. Mediators Inflamm 2018; 2018:5897817. [PMID: 30046279 PMCID: PMC6036813 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5897817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive disorder, causes motor neuron degeneration and neuromuscular synapse denervation. Because this is a complex disease, there are no effective drugs for the treatment of patients with ALS. For example, riluzole is used in many countries but has many side effects and only increases the lifespan of patients by approximately 2-3 months. Therefore, patients with ALS often turn to complementary and alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal medicine, with the hope and belief of recovery, despite the lack of definite evidence on the efficacy of these methods. Gamisoyo-San (GSS), a herbal medicine known to improve health, has been used for stress-related neuropsychological disorders, including anorexia, in Asian countries, such as China, Korea, and Japan. To evaluate the effects of GSS on the spinal cord, we investigated the expression of neuroinflammatory and metabolic proteins in symptomatic hSOD1G93A mice. We observed that GSS reduces the expression of glial markers, including those for microglia and astrocytes, and prevents neuronal loss. Moreover, we found that GSS inhibits the expression of proteins related to Toll-like receptor 4 signaling and oxidative stress, known to cause neuroinflammation. Notably, GSS also regulates metabolism in the spinal cord of transgenic mice. These results suggest that GSS could be used for improving the immune system and increasing the life quality of patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- MuDan Cai
- Department of Clinical Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jin Yang
- Department of Clinical Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea
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