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Iseli LM, Poppe C, Wangmo T. Receiving and adjusting to a diagnosis of ALS: A qualitative study with informal caregivers. Palliat Support Care 2024:1-7. [PMID: 39246264 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951524001044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) takes more than 1year from detection of first symptoms. The paper seeks to understand the ALS diagnostic process and adjustment from the perspective of informal caregivers. METHODS The data stems from an interview study with 9 current and 13 bereaved informal caregivers of people with ALS in Switzerland. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS We identified 3 key themes pertaining to ALS diagnosis. In the first theme, we present the close involvement of informal caregivers in the "diagnosis journey." Highlighted within this theme is the important role they play, which ultimately leads to diagnosis of ALS avoiding further delays. Second, we relay their perceptions on "diagnosis communication pitfalls" where they underlined empathy and planning from the part of medical professional, while communicating the terminal diagnosis of ALS. Participants' reactions and adjustments post-ALS diagnosis are described in "the aftermath of diagnosis." In this third theme, we highlight participants' shock and their need to rethink overall life plans and roles in their family. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESULTS Diagnosis communication that is clear, empathetic, and adjusted to the needs of the patients as well as their caregivers is critical. More work is needed to improve diagnosis communication for ALS patients. Receiving the diagnosis of ALS leads to complete changes in life of caregivers. It is therefore necessary that medical professionals provide adequate support that allows them to plan for their future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luzia M Iseli
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Clinic for Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Poppe
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Tenzin Wangmo
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Candelo E, Vasudevan SS, Orellana D, Williams AM, Rutt AL. Exploring the Impact of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis on Otolaryngological Functions. J Voice 2024:S0892-1997(24)00236-4. [PMID: 39138039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2024.07.025] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons at the spinal or bulbar level. OBJECTIVE We aim to describe the most frequent otolaryngology (ORL) complaints and voice disturbances in patients with bulbar onset ALS. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Single-center study with combined ORL and ALS clinic evaluation. PARTICIPANTS Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ALS following an ORL visit and who underwent comprehensive voice assessments between January 2021 and January 2023. EXPOSURE Objective voice assessments. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Glottal functional index (GFI), voice handicap index (VHI), reflux system index (RSI), and voice quality characteristics such as shimmer, jitter, maximum phonation time (MPT), and other essential parameters were assessed. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-three patients (age 62.17 ± 10.79, 54.48% female) were included. Three patients were referred from the ORL department to the ALS clinic. The most frequent symptoms were; dysphagia, dysarthria, facial weakness, pseudobulbar affect, and sialorrhea. The mean of forced vital capacity was 59.85%, EAT-10 15.91 ± 11.66, RSI 25.84 ± 9.03, GFI 14.12 ± 5.58, VHI-10 42.81 ± 34.94, MPT 15.22 s ± 8.06. Many patients reported voice impairments mainly related to spastic dysarthria and the combination of lower and upper motor neuron dysarthria, hypernasality, reduced verbal expression, and articulatory accuracy. Shimmer was increased to 8.46% ± 7.20, and jitter to 2.26% ± 1.39. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Based on our cohort, this population with bulbar onset ALS has a higher frequency of voice disturbance characterized by hypernasality, spastic dysarthria, and reduced verbal expression. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estephania Candelo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida; Centro de Investigaciones Clínicas, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
| | | | - Daniela Orellana
- Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Amy L Rutt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.
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Heskamp L, Birkbeck MG, Hall J, Schofield IS, Bashford J, Williams TL, De Oliveira HM, Whittaker RG, Blamire AM. Whole-body fasciculation detection in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using motor unit MRI. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 161:246-255. [PMID: 38448302 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.02.016] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Compare fasciculation rates between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and healthy controls in body regions relevant for diagnosing ALS using motor unit MRI (MUMRI) at baseline and 6 months follow-up, and relate this to single-channel surface EMG (SEMG). METHODS Tongue, biceps brachii, paraspinals and lower legs were assessed with MUMRI and biceps brachii and soleus with SEMG in 10 healthy controls and 10 patients (9 typical ALS, 1 primary lateral sclerosis [PLS]). RESULTS MUMRI-detected fasciculation rates in typical ALS patients were higher compared to healthy controls for biceps brachii (2.40 ± 1.90 cm-3min-1vs. 0.04 ± 0.10 cm-3min-1, p = 0.004), paraspinals (1.14 ± 1.61 cm-3min-1vs. 0.02 ± 0.02 cm-3min-1, p = 0.016) and lower legs (1.42 ± 1.27 cm-3min-1vs. 0.13 ± 0.10 cm-3min-1, p = 0.004), but not tongue (1.41 ± 1.94 cm-3min-1vs. 0.18 ± 0.18 cm-3min-1, p = 0.556). The PLS patient showed no fasciculation. At baseline, 6/9 ALS patients had increased fasciculation rates compared to healthy controls in at least 2 body regions. At follow-up every patient had increased fasciculation rates in at least 2 body regions. The MUMRI-detected fasciculation rate correlated with SEMG-detected fasciculation rates (τ = 0.475, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION MUMRI can non-invasively image fasciculation in multiple body regions and appears sensitive to disease progression in individual patients. SIGNIFICANCE MUMRI has potential as diagnostic tool for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Heskamp
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute (NUTCRI), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Matthew G Birkbeck
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute (NUTCRI), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Northern Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Julie Hall
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute (NUTCRI), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Neuroradiology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Ian S Schofield
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute (NUTCRI), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - James Bashford
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Timothy L Williams
- Directorate of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Hugo M De Oliveira
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute (NUTCRI), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Directorate of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Roger G Whittaker
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute (NUTCRI), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Directorate of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew M Blamire
- Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute (NUTCRI), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
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Chen S, Carter D, Brockenbrough PB, Cox S, Gwathmey K. Racial disparities in ALS diagnostic delay: a single center's experience and review of potential contributing factors. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:112-118. [PMID: 37909302 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2273361] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Outcomes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients are improved with prompt diagnosis, earlier initiation of disease-modifying treatments, and participation in a multidisciplinary clinic. We studied diagnostic delay and disease severity at time of clinic presentation between Black and non-Hispanic Caucasian ALS patients. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of non-Hispanic Caucasian and Black ALS patients seen in the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System multidisciplinary ALS clinic between 2017 and 2023. Diagnostic delay, ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and upright forced vital capacity (FVC) scores at baseline appointment were collected. Patient's distance from clinic and affluency of residential neighborhood were evaluated. RESULTS We analyzed 172 non-Hispanic Caucasian and 33 Black ALS patients. Black patients had a 64% increase in diagnostic delay compared to non-Hispanic Caucasian patients. Black patients had a lower performance on ALSFRS-R (5.3 points, p < 0.001) and FVC (17.9 percentage points p < 0.001) at time of first clinic visit. Black patients lived closer to clinic, with higher proportion living in the city of Richmond, but in less affluent areas with lower median house income ($55,300 ± 22,600 vs $69,900 ± 23,700). DISCUSSION Our findings demonstrate a large racial difference in ALS diagnostic delay, and greater disease severity and lower respiratory function at time of diagnosis for Black ALS patients. Delay in diagnosis prolongs access to disease-modifying therapies, multidisciplinary care, durable medical equipment, and respiratory and nutritional support. Potential sources of these racial disparities include providers' implicit bias and structural racism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Demetrius Carter
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Stephen Cox
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kelly Gwathmey
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Goyal NA, Bonar K, Savic N, Beau Lejdstrom R, Wright J, Mellor J, McDermott C. Misdiagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in clinical practice in Europe and the USA: a patient chart review and physician survey. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:16-25. [PMID: 37794794 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2260808] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Delays in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis can result in compromised disease management and unnecessary costs. We examined the extent of ALS misdiagnosis in the US and Europe. METHODS Data were collected via the Adelphi ALS Disease Specific Programme™, a cross-sectional survey of physicians and a medical chart review of their consulting patients with ALS in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK (EU5), and the US. Between July 2020 and March 2021, eligible physicians (primary speciality neurology, active involvement in managing patients with ALS) abstracted data from patients (≥18 years old) with confirmed ALS. RESULTS Overall, 138 physicians completed the survey (EU5 107, US 31), with data reviewed from 795 patient medical charts (EU5 568, US 227); 278 (35.0%) patients (EU5 183 [32.2%], US 95 [41.9%]) had received ≥1 initial misdiagnosis based on symptoms later attributed to ALS. Mean (SD) time from symptom onset to first healthcare professional consultation was 3.8 (5.2) months (EU5 4.3 [4.8] months, US 2.6 [5.8] months). Mean (SD) time from symptom onset to ALS diagnosis was 8.2 (12.5) months (EU5 9.6 [14.0] months, US 5.0 [6.8] months) and increased to 10.4 (17.9) for patients with a misdiagnosis (compared with 6.9 [7.2] for patients with no misdiagnosis). Physician-identified barriers to timely ALS diagnosis included the similarity of symptoms to other conditions and delayed referral to neurologists. CONCLUSIONS Misdiagnosis of ALS is frequent, with a protracted diagnostic pathway. Targeted education of patients and physicians about signs and symptoms and benefits of prompt referral to multidisciplinary care are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namita A Goyal
- Department of Neurology, UC Irvine MDA-ALS and Neuromuscular Center, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christopher McDermott
- Department of Neurology, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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McMackin R, Bede P, Ingre C, Malaspina A, Hardiman O. Biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current status and future prospects. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:754-768. [PMID: 37949994 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00891-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Disease heterogeneity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis poses a substantial challenge in drug development. Categorization based on clinical features alone can help us predict the disease course and survival, but quantitative measures are also needed that can enhance the sensitivity of the clinical categorization. In this Review, we describe the emerging landscape of diagnostic, categorical and pharmacodynamic biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their place in the rapidly evolving landscape of new therapeutics. Fluid-based markers from cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine are emerging as useful diagnostic, pharmacodynamic and predictive biomarkers. Combinations of imaging measures have the potential to provide important diagnostic and prognostic information, and neurophysiological methods, including various electromyography-based measures and quantitative EEG-magnetoencephalography-evoked responses and corticomuscular coherence, are generating useful diagnostic, categorical and prognostic markers. Although none of these biomarker technologies has been fully incorporated into clinical practice or clinical trials as a primary outcome measure, strong evidence is accumulating to support their clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roisin McMackin
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Bede
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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Gwathmey K, Heiman-Patterson TD. Multidisciplinary Clinics in Neuromuscular Medicine. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2023; 29:1585-1594. [PMID: 37851044 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Multidisciplinary care is comprehensive, coordinated clinical care across medical disciplines and allied health professions. Neuromuscular disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and muscular dystrophies, are often associated with disabling weakness and extramuscular symptoms and may benefit from care in a model that consolidates numerous clinic visits into a single more efficient multidisciplinary clinic visit. The goal of the neuromuscular multidisciplinary care model is to improve patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, quality of life, access to medications and equipment, and survival. Although the costs of running a multidisciplinary clinic are high, they are likely associated with cost savings from the patient's perspective. Several barriers to acceptance of multidisciplinary clinics include the distance needed to travel to the clinic and the duration of the clinic visit. Telehealth multidisciplinary clinic visits may address some of these concerns. Further study is needed to understand the value of multidisciplinary clinics and is a necessary step toward creating a sustainable model.
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Nunez Y, Balalian A, Parks RM, He MZ, Hansen J, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Ketzel M, Khan J, Brandt J, Vermeulen R, Peters S, Weisskopf MG, Re DB, Goldsmith J, Kioumourtzoglou MA. Exploring Relevant Time Windows in the Association Between PM2.5 Exposure and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study in Denmark. Am J Epidemiol 2023; 192:1499-1508. [PMID: 37092253 PMCID: PMC10666968 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwad099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies suggest a link between particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but to our knowledge critical exposure windows have not been examined. We performed a case-control study in the Danish population spanning the years 1989-2013. Cases were selected from the Danish National Patient Registry based on International Classification of Diseases codes. Five controls were randomly selected from the Danish Civil Registry and matched to a case on vital status, age, and sex. PM2.5 concentration at residential addresses was assigned using monthly predictions from a dispersion model. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for confounding. We evaluated exposure to averaged PM2.5 concentrations 12-24 months, 2-6 years, and 2-11 years pre-ALS diagnosis; annual lagged exposures up to 11 years prediagnosis; and cumulative associations for exposure in lags 1-5 years and 1-10 years prediagnosis, allowing for varying association estimates by year. We identified 3,983 cases and 19,915 controls. Cumulative exposure to PM2.5 in the period 2-6 years prediagnosis was associated with ALS (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.13). Exposures in the second, third, and fourth years prediagnosis were individually associated with higher odds of ALS (e.g., for lag 1, OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.08). Exposure to PM2.5 within 6 years before diagnosis may represent a critical exposure window for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanelli Nunez
- Correspondence to Dr. Yanelli Nunez, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th Street, New York, NY 10032 (e-mail: )
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Gwathmey KG, Corcia P, McDermott CJ, Genge A, Sennfält S, de Carvalho M, Ingre C. Diagnostic delay in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:2595-2601. [PMID: 37209406 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease, and the time from symptom onset to diagnosis remains long. With the advent of disease-modifying treatments, the need to identify and diagnose ALS in a timely fashion has never been greater. METHODS We reviewed the literature to define the severity of ALS diagnostic delay, the various factors that contribute to this delay (including patient and physician factors), and the role that site of symptom onset plays in a patient's diagnostic journey. RESULTS Diagnostic delay is influenced by general practitioners' lack of recognition of ALS due to disease rarity and heterogenous presentations. As a result, patients are referred to non-neurologists, have unnecessary diagnostic testing, and may ultimately be misdiagnosed. Patient factors include their illness behavior-which impacts diagnostic delay-and their site of symptom onset. Limb-onset patients have the greatest diagnostic delay because they are frequently misdiagnosed with degenerative spine disease or peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSION Prompt ALS diagnosis results in more effective clinical management, with earlier access to disease-modifying therapies, multidisciplinary care, and, if desired, clinical trial involvement. Due to lack of commercially available ALS biomarkers, alternative strategies to identify and triage patients who likely have ALS must be employed. Several diagnostic tools have been developed to encourage general practitioners to consider ALS and make an urgent referral to ALS specialists, bypassing unnecessary referrals to non-neurologists and unnecessary diagnostic workup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly G Gwathmey
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Philippe Corcia
- CRMR SLA, CHU Tours, Tours, France
- UMR1253 iBrain UMR, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | - Chris J McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Angela Genge
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Stefan Sennfält
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa-Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Boostani R, Olfati N, Shamshiri H, Salimi Z, Fatehi F, Hedjazi SA, Fakharian A, Ghasemi M, Okhovat AA, Basiri K, Haghi Ashtiani B, Ansari B, Raissi GR, Khatoonabadi SA, Sarraf P, Movahed S, Panahi A, Ziaadini B, Yazdchi M, Bakhtiyari J, Nafissi S. Iranian clinical practice guideline for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1154579. [PMID: 37333000 PMCID: PMC10272856 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1154579] [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: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegeneration involving motor neurons. The 3-5 years that patients have to live is marked by day-to-day loss of motor and sometimes cognitive abilities. Enormous amounts of healthcare services and resources are necessary to support patients and their caregivers during this relatively short but burdensome journey. Organization and management of these resources need to best meet patients' expectations and health system efficiency mandates. This can only occur in the setting of multidisciplinary ALS clinics which are known as the gold standard of ALS care worldwide. To introduce this standard to the care of Iranian ALS patients, which is an inevitable quality milestone, a national ALS clinical practice guideline is the necessary first step. The National ALS guideline will serve as the knowledge base for the development of local clinical pathways to guide patient journeys in multidisciplinary ALS clinics. To this end, we gathered a team of national neuromuscular experts as well as experts in related specialties necessary for delivering multidisciplinary care to ALS patients to develop the Iranian ALS clinical practice guideline. Clinical questions were prepared in the Patient, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) format to serve as a guide for the literature search. Considering the lack of adequate national/local studies at this time, a consensus-based approach was taken to evaluate the quality of the retrieved evidence and summarize recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Boostani
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nahid Olfati
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hosein Shamshiri
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zanireh Salimi
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzad Fatehi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Arya Hedjazi
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefeh Fakharian
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Research Center (PRRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ali Asghar Okhovat
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Keivan Basiri
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Isfahan Neuroscience Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Bahram Haghi Ashtiani
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnaz Ansari
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Isfahan Neuroscience Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- AL Zahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Gholam Reza Raissi
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Payam Sarraf
- Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Neurology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Movahed
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Akram Panahi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bentolhoda Ziaadini
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Neurology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Yazdchi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jalal Bakhtiyari
- Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahriar Nafissi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Truffert A, Sukockienė E, Desmaison A, Ališauskienė M, Iancu Ferfoglia R, Guy N. Combined tendon reflex and motor evoked potential recordings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 147:88-98. [PMID: 36753809 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2022.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This retrospective (case-control) collaborative study evaluates tendon reflex recordings combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation motor evoked potentials recordings (T-MEPs) at lower limbs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS T-MEPs were recorded in 97 ALS patients distinguished according to their patellar reflex briskness. Patients' electrophysiological data were compared with values measured in 60 control patients matched for age and height. Correlations studies between parameters or with some patients' clinical characteristics were also performed. RESULTS The central motor conduction time yields the highest sensitivity (82%) and specificity (93%), allowing twice more upper motor neuron (UMN) dysfunction detection than clinical examination, and being more altered in late stages of the disease. The T response to MEP response amplitude ratio (T/MEP ar) is nearly as sensitive to detect ALS and better identifies abnormal hyperreflexia. It is not correlated with evolutive stage, contrarily to conduction time-related parameters. In addition, T-MEPs detect asymmetries escaping clinical examination. CONCLUSIONS The corticospinal conduction to lower limbs is slowed in ALS. The T/MEP ar helps deciding when patellar reflexes are abnormal in a given patient suspected of ALS. SIGNIFICANCE The T-MEP technique provide powerful electrophysiological biomarkers of UMN involvement in ALS. This simple and painless procedure introduces the clinically useful concept of electrophysiological hyperreflexia and might be expanded to future exploration of proximal upper limbs and bulbar territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Truffert
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Eglė Sukockienė
- Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Annaïck Desmaison
- CRCSLA et maladies du neurone moteur, Department of Neurology, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Miglė Ališauskienė
- Department of Neurology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | | | - Nathalie Guy
- CRCSLA et maladies du neurone moteur, Department of Neurology, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France; Université Clermont Auvergne, Inserm Neuro-Dol U1107, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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12
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Çoban M, Bilge U, Balseven H, Uysal H, Artut B. The economic evaluation of ALS care: quality and cost. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023:1-12. [PMID: 36794629 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2176776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective: The study aims to analyze the quality of studies that make economic evaluations for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Assessing the quality of studies can guide policy-making and planning. Methods: One of the most recognized checklists "The Consensus on Health Economic Criteria" (CHEC)-list designed by Evers et al. in 2005 aims to answer two important questions: is the methodology of the study appropriate, and are the results of the study valid? We reviewed studies focusing on ALS and its economic costs, and evaluated the studies with (CHEC)-list. Results: We examined 25 articles in terms of their cost evaluation and quality. It is seen that they mainly focus on medical costs, ignoring social care costs. When the quality of the studies is examined, it is seen that the studies overall achieve high scores in terms of their purpose and research question, but some of the studies score low in terms of ethical dimension, comprehensiveness of expenditure items, their application of sensitivity analyses and their study design. Conclusions: The main recommendation of our study for future cost evaluation studies is that they should focus on the questions in the checklist that are scored low overall by the 25 articles, and consider the social care costs as well as medical costs. Our recommendations when designing cost studies can be applied to other chronic diseases with long-term economic costs like ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Çoban
- Department of Healthcare Management, Health Sciences Faculty, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Uğur Bilge
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Hale Balseven
- Department of Public Finance, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Hilmi Uysal
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey, and
| | - Betül Artut
- Mediterranean Migration Studies, Mediterranean Civilisations Research Institute, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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13
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Sennfält S, Kläppe U, Thams S, Samuelsson K, Press R, Fang F, Ingre C. The path to diagnosis in ALS: delay, referrals, alternate diagnoses, and clinical progression. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2023; 24:45-53. [PMID: 35343340 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2053722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To provide a detailed and differentiated description of the path to receiving the correct amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis, including delay times, referrals, alternate diagnoses, and clinical progression.Methods: Medical records until the date of ALS diagnosis were reviewed and linked to the Swedish Motor Neuron Disease Quality Registry.Results: The study included 353 Stockholm ALS patients diagnosed in 2016-2021. Patients were divided into four groups: 117 (33.1%) with lower extremity (LE), 85 (24.1%) with upper extremity (UE), 136 (38.5%) with bulbar, and 15 (4.2%) with respiratory onset. The time from onset to diagnosis was 16.0 (9.4-27.5) months in LE, 12.9 (8.8-17.8) months in UE, 11.7 (7.4-16.0) months in bulbar, and 8.3 (4.7-15.6) months in respiratory onset. Patients with UE or LE onset were often referred to orthopedics or a spinal/hand surgery clinic (29.3% for LE and 41.8% for UE), while bulbar patients were more frequently referred to ENT (66.3%). For those with LE or UE onset, the most common alternate diagnosis was spinal/foraminal stenosis whereas myasthenia gravis and stroke were more common for bulbar onset patients. For the respiratory group, cardiopulmonary diagnoses predominated. The proportion of all patients in King's stage 3 or 4 increased from 11.3% to 46.1% from the initial health care visit to diagnosis.Conclusions: There was great variation in the path to ALS diagnosis according to the onset clinical phenotype. In all groups, the diagnostic delay and clinical progression was substantial. We identified subgroups where the delay was the longest and might be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Sennfält
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and
| | - Ulf Kläppe
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and
| | - Sebastian Thams
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and
| | - Kristin Samuelsson
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and
| | - Rayomand Press
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and
| | - Fang Fang
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and
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14
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Burchill E, Rawji V, Styles K, Rooney S, Stone P, Astin R, Sharma N. When months matter; modelling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnostic pathway of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0259487. [PMID: 36706102 PMCID: PMC9882907 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A diagnosis of MND takes an average 10-16 months from symptom onset. Early diagnosis is important to access supportive measures to maximise quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant delays in NHS pathways; the majority of GP appointments now occur online with subsequent delays in secondary care assessment. Given the rapid progression of MND, patients may be disproportionately affected resulting in late stage new presentations. We used Monte Carlo simulation to model the pre-COVID-19 diagnostic pathway and then introduced plausible COVID-19 delays. METHODS The diagnostic pathway was modelled using gamma distributions of time taken: 1) from symptom onset to GP presentation, 2) for specialist referral, and 3) for diagnosis reached after neurology appointment. We incorporated branches to simulate delays: when patients did not attend their GP and when the GP consultation did not result in referral. An emergency presentation was triggered when diagnostic pathway time was within 30 days of projected median survival. Total time-to-diagnosis was calculated over 100,000 iterations. The pre-COVID-19 model was estimated using published data and the Improving MND Care Survey 2019. We estimated COVID-19 delays using published statistics. RESULTS The pre-COVID model reproduced known features of the MND diagnostic pathway, with a median time to diagnosis of 399 days and predicting 5.2% of MND patients present as undiagnosed emergencies. COVID-19 resulted in diagnostic delays from 558 days when only primary care was 25% delayed, to 915 days when both primary and secondary care were 75%. The model predicted an increase in emergency presentations ranging from 15.4%-44.5%. INTERPRETATIONS The model suggests the COVID-19 pandemic will result in later-stage diagnoses and more emergency presentations of undiagnosed MND. Late-stage presentations may require rapid escalation to multidisciplinary care. Proactive recognition of acute and late-stage disease with altered service provision will optimise care for people with MND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Burchill
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vishal Rawji
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Patrick Stone
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ronan Astin
- Neuromuscular complex care centre, UCLH, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute of Health Research, UCLH Biomedical Research centre, UCLH, London, United Kingdom
- Institute for Sport, Exercise and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nikhil Sharma
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Neuromuscular complex care centre, UCLH, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Udine E, Jain A, van Blitterswijk M. Advances in sequencing technologies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:4. [PMID: 36635726 PMCID: PMC9838075 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00593-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by upper and lower motor neuron loss and has a fairly rapid disease progression, leading to fatality in an average of 2-5 years after symptom onset. Numerous genes have been implicated in this disease; however, many cases remain unexplained. Several technologies are being used to identify regions of interest and investigate candidate genes. Initial approaches to detect ALS genes include, among others, linkage analysis, Sanger sequencing, and genome-wide association studies. More recently, next-generation sequencing methods, such as whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing, have been introduced. While those methods have been particularly useful in discovering new ALS-linked genes, methodological advances are becoming increasingly important, especially given the complex genetics of ALS. Novel sequencing technologies, like long-read sequencing, are beginning to be used to uncover the contribution of repeat expansions and other types of structural variation, which may help explain missing heritability in ALS. In this review, we discuss how popular and/or upcoming methods are being used to discover ALS genes, highlighting emerging long-read sequencing platforms and their role in aiding our understanding of this challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Udine
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Angita Jain
- grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA ,grid.417467.70000 0004 0443 9942Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA
| | - Marka van Blitterswijk
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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16
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Genge A, Chio A. The future of ALS diagnosis and staging: where do we go from here? Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022; 24:165-174. [PMID: 36503299 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2150555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, progressive multi-system neurodegenerative disorder. Its clinical presentation varies considerably leading to delays in diagnosis, which has dire consequences in a disease where early intervention is key to optimize outcomes and limit care giver burden. There are a range of diagnostic criteria available to aid ALS diagnosis, as well staging methods to assess disease progression. However, they all suffer from inter-rater variability, complexity, and confusion in use. Such difficulties, when medical appointment times are limited and becoming more virtually based, have the potential to amplify uncertainty and errors in ALS diagnosis and prognosis. This review provides a clinical overview of the best way to balance the needs of evidence-based medicine and the patient. We focus on ALS diagnostic criteria and staging systems currently in use in clinical practice and explore factors that could enhance diagnostic efficiency and assessment of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Genge
- Clinical Research Unit, ALS Clinic, Montreal, Canada and
| | - Adriano Chio
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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17
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Mahoney CJ, Sleeman R, Errington W. Assessment of suspected motor neuron disease. BMJ 2022; 379:e073857. [PMID: 36418041 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-073857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Colin J Mahoney
- Forefront Motor Neuron Disease Clinic, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Australia
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18
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Orellana Zambrano MD, Candelo E, Rutt AL. The Role of the Otolaryngologist in Early Recognition of Patients With ALS: A Case Report. EAR, NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL 2022:1455613221120731. [PMID: 36358031 DOI: 10.1177/01455613221120731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This case report aims to raise awareness of the possibility of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in patients presenting to the Otolaryngology Department. We describe the case of a 66-year-old woman with hoarseness who was evaluated by several physicians and was referred to an ALS specialist only a year after symptom onset. Our case highlights the importance of considering motor neuron etiologies in patients with voice complaints. Early identification and referral to a specialist are critical for accurate diagnosis and prognosis and may be the key to slowing the disease's progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Estephania Candelo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Amy L Rutt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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19
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Sturmey E, Malaspina A. Blood biomarkers in ALS: challenges, applications and novel frontiers. Acta Neurol Scand 2022; 146:375-388. [PMID: 36156207 PMCID: PMC9828487 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease among adults. With diagnosis reached relatively late into the disease process, extensive motor cell loss narrows the window for therapeutic opportunities. Clinical heterogeneity in ALS and the lack of disease-specific biomarkers have so far led to large-sized clinical trials with long follow-up needed to define clinical outcomes. In advanced ALS patients, there is presently limited scope to use imaging or invasive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection as a source of disease biomarkers. The development of more patient-friendly and accessible blood biomarker assays is hampered by analytical hurdles like the matrix effect of blood components. However, blood also provides the opportunity to identify disease-specific adaptive changes of the stoichiometry and conformation of target proteins and the endogenous immunological response to low-abundance brain peptides, such as neurofilaments (Nf). Among those biomarkers under investigation in ALS, the change in concentration before or after diagnosis of Nf has been shown to aid prognostication and to allow the a priori stratification of ALS patients into smaller sized and clinically more homogeneous cohorts, supporting more affordable clinical trials. Here, we discuss the technical hurdles affecting reproducible and sensitive biomarker measurement in blood. We also summarize the state of the art of non-CSF biomarkers in the study of prognosis, disease progression, and treatment response. We will then address the potential as disease-specific biomarkers of the newly discovered cryptic peptides which are formed down-stream of TDP-43 loss of function, the hallmark of ALS pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie Sturmey
- Centre of Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- Centre of Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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20
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De Schaepdryver M, Masrori P, Van Damme P, Poesen K. Effect of neurofilament analysis on the diagnostic delay in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 29:70-77. [PMID: 36047371 PMCID: PMC9804063 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate whether neurofilament light (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNfH) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), sampled prior to referral to a neuromuscular reference center (NMRC), shorten the diagnostic delay in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. METHODS In this retrospective study, patients with ALS were included with (i) determination of neurofilaments (Nfs) before referral to the NMRC (preC-Nfs ALS, n = 58), (ii) determination of Nfs at the NMRC (C-Nfs, n = 54) or (iii) with no determination of Nfs (C-No Nfs, n = 180). Fifty-six disease controls were included. RESULTS The preC-Nfs cohort had CSF sampled 2.2 months (range: 0.6-12.0 months) before referral to the NMRC. In this cohort, the diagnostic delay was significantly shorter [median (range): 8.24 (2.37-49.7) months] than in the C-Nfs cases [median (range): 11.4 (2.93-86.5) months; p < 0.05], but not in the C-No Nfs cases. When including the disease progression rate and the presence of a genetic mutation as covariates, the difference ceased to exist (p = 0.14). pNfH and NfL levels in the preC-Nfs cohort were significantly higher than in disease controls (p < 0.0001). Both Nfs showed a similar discriminating performance. CONCLUSIONS CSF Nfs assessed before the diagnosis of ALS at a NMRC decreased the diagnostic delay in specific cases by 3 months and only when other covariates were not taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim De Schaepdryver
- Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research, Department of NeurosciencesLeuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Pegah Masrori
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyCenter for Brain & Disease Research, VIBLeuvenBelgium,Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Experimental Neurology, Department of NeurosciencesLeuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyCenter for Brain & Disease Research, VIBLeuvenBelgium,Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Experimental Neurology, Department of NeurosciencesLeuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Koen Poesen
- Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research, Department of NeurosciencesLeuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Laboratory MedicineUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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21
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Sanfilippo MJ, Layshock ME, Keniston L. Exploring the association between outcome measures to guide clinical management in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Phys Ther Sci 2022; 34:532-539. [PMID: 35937622 PMCID: PMC9345750 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.34.532] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] The usefulness and limitations of outcome measures changes throughout
functional decline of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This study aims
to describe associations between outcome measures in patients with ALS over time.
[Participants and Methods] Participant data was collected at a multidisciplinary ALS
clinic during regular clinic visits, including gait velocity, Timed Up and Go, the ALS
Functional Rating Scale-Revised, and it’s Gross Motor Subscale. [Results] All gait
velocity measures were <1.2 m/sec; average Timed Up and Go was >13.5 sec. There was
strong internal consistency between ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised and its functional
mobility components and a strong, significant correlation between the Timed Up and Go and
the Gross Motor Subscale. [Conclusion] Patients with ALS are not community ambulators and
demonstrate risk for falls. We found concurrent validity between objective and
self-reported measures. The strong association between the Gross Motor Subscale and the
Timed Up and Go may allow PTs to utilize the self-reported Gross Motor Subscale to predict
fall risk. Clinically, when the Timed Up and Go and gait velocity are no longer
appropriate due to disease progression, the Gross Motor Subscale can provide insight into
functional decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Sanfilippo
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore: 1 College Backbone Road, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
| | - Mary E Layshock
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore: 1 College Backbone Road, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
| | - Leslie Keniston
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore: 1 College Backbone Road, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
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22
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Mitsumoto H, Kasarskis EJ, Simmons Z. Hastening the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurology 2022; 99:60-68. [PMID: 35577578 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000200799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease. Neurologists generally see patients as requested and as schedules allow. This practice is part of the reason it takes approximately 12 months from onset of new progressive weakness to receive a definitive diagnosis of ALS. It is well recognized that the disease of ALS starts long before symptom onset. In mutant SOD1 transgenic mice, early loss of motor neurons and compensatory morphological changes precede a rapid loss of motor neurons that coincides with symptom onset. In a human autopsy study, anterior roots in the "presymptomatic" stage indicate that ∼20% loss of motor neurons had already occurred. Sera collected from individuals who later developed ALS and sera from presymptomatic members of families with ALS harboring pathogenic gene variants demonstrated high neurofilament (Nf) levels, again suggesting that the neurodegenerative process is already active at a clinically presymptomatic stage. Potential benefits of hastening the diagnosis of ALS include earlier initiation of therapy to slow the fundamental neurodegenerative process. Such effects are observed in treatment with riluzole, edaravone, methylcobalamin, and sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol in patient care and clinical trial settings. Early initiation of multidisciplinary care results in cost savings and prolonged survival. Early diagnosis after symptom onset also seems to reduce psychological distress. Hence, how can we facilitate an earlier diagnosis of ALS? We already have the necessary tools. New and simple ALS diagnostic criteria (Gold Coast Criteria) have been introduced along with genetic testing. At least 2 studies provide Class II evidence that establishes the reliability and sensitivity of CSF and/or serum Nf levels in supporting a diagnosis of ALS. Challenges, however, still exist as to how to facilitate earlier recognition of possible ALS by primary care physicians and other nonneurologist providers and how to foster a sense of urgency among neurologists to accelerate the diagnostic process. In this article, we provide a number of recommendations that we hope will help achieve these ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Mitsumoto
- From the Department of Neurology (H.M.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Department of Neurology (E.J.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Department of Neurology (Z.S.), Pennsylvania State University, Hershey.
| | - Edward J Kasarskis
- From the Department of Neurology (H.M.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Department of Neurology (E.J.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Department of Neurology (Z.S.), Pennsylvania State University, Hershey
| | - Zachary Simmons
- From the Department of Neurology (H.M.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Department of Neurology (E.J.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Department of Neurology (Z.S.), Pennsylvania State University, Hershey
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23
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Borghetti VS, Cintra VP, Ramos JDO, Marques VD, Onofre PT, Santana VAS, Bezerra LFP, Tomaselli PJ, dos Santos ACJ, Sobreira CFDR, Marques W. Misdiagnoses in a Brazilian population with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2022; 80:676-680. [PMID: 36254439 PMCID: PMC9685820 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1755224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the upper and lower motor neurons. The correct diagnosis at the onset of the disease is sometimes very difficult, due to the symptoms being very similar to those of other neurological syndromes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the initial manifestations, the specialty of the first physician visited due the initial complaint, the misdiagnoses, as well as the unnecessary surgical interventions in a new ALS Brazilian population. METHODS The medical records of 173 patients with typical ALS were reviewed. RESULTS The present study demonstrated that other symptoms, besides weakness, were very frequent as initial presentation of ALS, and orthopedics was the medical specialty most sought by patients at the onset of symptoms. Our frequency of misdiagnoses was 69.7%, and in 7.1% of them, an unnecessary surgical intervention was performed. CONCLUSIONS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis presents a very large pool of signs and symptoms; therefore, there is an urgent need of increasing the disease awareness to other specialties due to the high frequency of misdiagnoses observed in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vívian Pedigone Cintra
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
- Centro Universitário Municipal de Franca, Franca SP, Brazil
| | - Jean de Oliveira Ramos
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Daccach Marques
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Toscano Onofre
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Pedro José Tomaselli
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Wilson Marques
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
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Kwak S. Pain in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a narrative review. JOURNAL OF YEUNGNAM MEDICAL SCIENCE 2022; 39:181-189. [PMID: 35673830 PMCID: PMC9273136 DOI: 10.12701/jyms.2022.00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by loss of motor neurons, resulting in motor weakness of the limbs and/or bulbar muscles. Pain is a prevalent but neglected symptom of ALS, and it has a significant negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. This review outlines the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, underlying mechanisms, and management strategies of pain in ALS to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes related to pain. Pain is a prevalent symptom among patients with ALS, with a variable reported prevalence. It may occur at any stage of the disease and can involve any part of the body without a specific pattern. Primary pain includes neuropathic pain and pain from spasticity or cramps, while secondary pain is mainly nociceptive, occurring with the progression of muscle weakness and atrophy, prolonged immobility causing degenerative changes in joints and connective tissue, and long-term home mechanical ventilation. Prior to treatment, the exact patterns and causes of pain must first be identified, and the treatment should be tailored to each patient. Treatment options can be classified into pharmacological treatments, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiepileptic drugs, drugs for cramps or spasticity, and opioid; and nonpharmacological treatments, including positioning, splints, joint injections, and physical therapy. The development of standardized and specific assessment tools for pain-specific to ALS is required, as are further studies on treatments to reduce pain, diminish suffering, and improve the quality of life of patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyoung Kwak
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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25
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Benatar M, Wuu J, Andersen PM, Bucelli RC, Andrews JA, Otto M, Farahany NA, Harrington EA, Chen W, Mitchell AA, Ferguson T, Chew S, Gedney L, Oakley S, Heo J, Chary S, Fanning L, Graham D, Sun P, Liu Y, Wong J, Fradette S. Design of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial of Tofersen Initiated in Clinically Presymptomatic SOD1 Variant Carriers: the ATLAS Study. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1248-1258. [PMID: 35585374 PMCID: PMC9587202 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01237-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive research, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains a progressive and invariably fatal neurodegenerative disease. Limited knowledge of the underlying causes of ALS has made it difficult to target upstream biological mechanisms of disease, and therapeutic interventions are usually administered relatively late in the course of disease. Genetic forms of ALS offer a unique opportunity for therapeutic development, as genetic associations may reveal potential insights into disease etiology. Genetic ALS may also be amenable to investigating earlier intervention given the possibility of identifying clinically presymptomatic, at-risk individuals with causative genetic variants. There is increasing evidence for a presymptomatic phase of ALS, with biomarker data from the Pre-Symptomatic Familial ALS (Pre-fALS) study showing that an elevation in blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) precedes phenoconversion to clinically manifest disease. Tofersen is an investigational antisense oligonucleotide designed to reduce synthesis of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein through degradation of SOD1 mRNA. Informed by Pre-fALS and the tofersen clinical development program, the ATLAS study (NCT04856982) is designed to evaluate the impact of initiating tofersen in presymptomatic carriers of SOD1 variants associated with high or complete penetrance and rapid disease progression who also have biomarker evidence of disease activity (elevated plasma NfL). The ATLAS study will investigate whether tofersen can delay the emergence of clinically manifest ALS. To our knowledge, ATLAS is the first interventional trial in presymptomatic ALS and has the potential to yield important insights into the design and conduct of presymptomatic trials, identification, and monitoring of at-risk individuals, and future treatment paradigms in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th Street, Clinical Research Building, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Joanne Wuu
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, 1120 NW 14th Street, Clinical Research Building, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Jinsy A Andrews
- The Neurological Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | | | - Weiping Chen
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | | | - Toby Ferguson
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Sheena Chew
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Liz Gedney
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Sue Oakley
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Jeong Heo
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Sowmya Chary
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Laura Fanning
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | | | - Peng Sun
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Yingying Liu
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Janice Wong
- Biogen, 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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26
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Mei XW, Burchardt J, Ranger TA, McDermott CJ, Radunovic A, Coupland C, Hippisley-Cox J. Identifying key signs of motor neurone disease in primary care: a nested case-control study using the QResearch database. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058383. [PMID: 35768081 PMCID: PMC9240876 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To confirm the symptoms and signs for motor neuron disease (MND) in the Red Flag tool; to quantify the extent to which the key symptoms and signs are associated with MND; and to identify additional factors which may be helpful within the primary care setting in recognition of possible MND and triggering timely referral to neurology specialists. DESIGN A nested case-control study. SETTING 1292 UK general practices contributing to the QResearch primary care database, linked to hospital and mortality data. PARTICIPANTS Baseline cohort included 16.8 million individuals aged 18 years and over without a diagnosis of MND at study entry and with more than 3 years of digitalised information available. The nested case-control data set comprised of 6437 cases of MND diagnosed between January 1998 and December 2019, matched by year of birth, gender, general practice and calendar year to 62 003 controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinically recognised symptoms and signs of MND prior to diagnosis and symptoms and factors which are relevant in primary care setting. RESULTS This study identified 17 signs and symptoms that were independently associated with MND diagnosis in a multivariable analysis. Of these, seven were new to the Red Flag tool: ataxia, dysphasia, weight loss, wheeze, hoarseness of voice, urinary incontinence and constipation. Among those from the Red Flag tool, dysarthria had the strongest association with subsequent MND (adjusted OR (aOR): 43.2 (95% CI 36.0 to 52.0)) followed by muscle fasciculations (aOR: 40.2 (95% CI 25.6 to 63.1)) and muscle wasting (aOR: 31.0 (95% CI 19.5 to 49.4)). Additionally, the associations between MND diagnosis and family history, dropped foot, focal weakness and sialorrhoea remained robust after controlling for confounders. Patients who reported symptoms indicative of damage to the lower brainstem and its connections were diagnosed sooner than those who presented with respiratory or cognitive signs. CONCLUSION This is the first study that has identified, confirmed and quantified the association of key symptoms and signs with MND diagnosis. In addition to known factors, the study has identified the following new factors to be independently associated with MND prior to diagnosis: ataxia, dysphasia, wheeze and hoarseness of voice. These findings may be used to improve risk stratification and earlier detection of MND in primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue W Mei
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Judith Burchardt
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tom A Ranger
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Carol Coupland
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Julia Hippisley-Cox
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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27
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Goutman SA, Hardiman O, Al-Chalabi A, Chió A, Savelieff MG, Kiernan MC, Feldman EL. Recent advances in the diagnosis and prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet Neurol 2022; 21:480-493. [PMID: 35334233 PMCID: PMC9513753 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(21)00465-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can be challenging due to its heterogeneity in clinical presentation and overlap with other neurological disorders. Diagnosis early in the disease course can improve outcomes as timely interventions can slow disease progression. An evolving awareness of disease genotypes and phenotypes and new diagnostic criteria, such as the recent Gold Coast criteria, could expedite diagnosis. Improved prognosis, such as that achieved with the survival model from the European Network for the Cure of ALS, could inform the patient and their family about disease course and improve end-of-life planning. Novel staging and scoring systems can help monitor disease progression and might potentially serve as clinical trial outcomes. Lastly, new tools, such as fluid biomarkers, imaging modalities, and neuromuscular electrophysiological measurements, might increase diagnostic and prognostic accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, and Department of Neurology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adriano Chió
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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28
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Falcão de Campos C, Gromicho M, Uysal H, Grosskreutz J, Kuzma-Kozakiewicz M, Oliveira Santos M, Pinto S, Petri S, Swash M, de Carvalho M. Delayed Diagnosis and Diagnostic Pathway of ALS Patients in Portugal: Where Can We Improve? Front Neurol 2021; 12:761355. [PMID: 34803894 PMCID: PMC8596501 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.761355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with unsatisfactory treatment options. Best management and recruitment into clinical trials requires early diagnosis. However, diagnosis is often delayed. Analysis of the diagnostic pathway and identification of the causes of diagnostic delay are imperative. Methods: We studied a cohort of 580 ALS patients followed up in our ALS clinic in Lisbon. Demographic, disease, and sociocultural factors were collected. Time from first symptom onset to diagnosis, the specialist's assessment, and investigations requested were analyzed. Predictors of diagnostic delay were evaluated by multivariate linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The median diagnostic delay from first symptom onset was 10 months. Spinal-onset, slower disease progression, cognitive symptoms at onset, and lower income were associated with increased diagnostic delay. Most patients were first assessed by general practitioners. Patients who were first evaluated by a neurologist were more likely to be correctly diagnosed, decreasing time to diagnosis. Electromyography was decisive in establishing the diagnosis. Conclusions: Late referral from non-neurologists to a neurologist is a potentially modifiable factor contributing to significant diagnostic delay. Educational interventions targeted to non-neurologists physicians, in order to increase awareness of ALS and, consequently, promote early referral to a neurologist at a tertiary center, will be important in reducing diagnostic delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Falcão de Campos
- Institute of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Northern Lisbon University Hospital Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Institute of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hilmi Uysal
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Magdalena Kuzma-Kozakiewicz
- Department of Neurology, Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Miguel Oliveira Santos
- Institute of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Northern Lisbon University Hospital Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Pinto
- Institute of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Swash
- Institute of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Institute of Physiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Northern Lisbon University Hospital Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
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29
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Vázquez-Costa J, Martínez-Molina M, Fernández-Polo M, Fornés-Ferrer V, Frasquet-Carrera M, Sevilla-Mantecón T. Analysis of the diagnostic pathway and delay in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Valencian Community. NEUROLOGÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2021; 36:504-513. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2018.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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30
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Vázquez-Costa J, Martínez-Molina M, Fernández-Polo M, Fornés-Ferrer V, Frasquet-Carrera M, Sevilla-Mantecón T. Análisis del trayecto y retraso diagnóstico de los pacientes con esclerosis lateral amiotrófica en la Comunidad Valenciana. Neurologia 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2018.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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31
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Jericó I, Elizalde-Beiras I, Pagola I, Torné L, Galbete A, Delfrade-Osinaga J, Vicente E. Clinical features and incidence trends of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Navarre, Spain, 2007-2018: a population-based study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2021; 22:401-409. [PMID: 33641502 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2021.1891249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder with a median survival of 3 years. The aim of our study is to analyze the incidence, age-related phenotype and clinical onset, geographical distribution, survival and diagnostic delay of ALS in Navarre. Methods: This is a population-based observational retrospective study, including all residents of Navarre (a northern Spanish region) from 2007 to 2018, who were followed until 30th September 2020. Results: We observed a global incidence 2.47/100,000 person-years, with an upward trend throughout the study, with the highest being in the age group of 70-74 years old. Point prevalence in December 2018 was 6.64/100,000 inhabitants (95%CI: 4.52-8.45). Upper limbs weakness onset was the most frequent in young people (<60 years), and bulbar, lower limbs weakness, generalized and respiratory associated with older age. Bulbar phenotype is the most frequent in women and in 80+ group. The median survival from clinical onset was 27.7 months (95%CI: 24.0-31.4), higher in spinal phenotype and younger onset age, and the diagnosis delay was 10.0 months (95%CI: 8.9-11.2) from clinical onset. Conclusions: We have observed a trend of increasing incidence in older people where the bulbar phenotype and female predominance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne Jericó
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarre Institute for Health Research), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Itsaso Elizalde-Beiras
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.,Primary Care, Servicio Navarro de Salud - Osasunbidea, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Pagola
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarre Institute for Health Research), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Laura Torné
- Department of Neurology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, IdiSNA (Navarre Institute for Health Research), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Arkaitz Galbete
- Navarrabiomed-Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra-UPNA, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.,Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josu Delfrade-Osinaga
- Community Health Observatory Section, Instituto de Salud Pública y Laboral de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain, and.,CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Vicente
- Department of Health Sciences, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.,Community Health Observatory Section, Instituto de Salud Pública y Laboral de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain, and
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32
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Costa JB, Pereira D, Duarte D, Viana M. Otolaryngologist's role in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. BMJ Case Rep 2021; 14:14/2/e234504. [PMID: 33622737 PMCID: PMC7907849 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-234504] [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: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and late-onset fatal neurodegenerative disease characterised by selective death of motor neurons. The aetiology of ALS is still unknown and it is extremely heterogeneous in genetics and clinical presentation, being the respiratory failure the usual cause of death. We describe a case of a 61-year-old male patient referred to the otolaryngology consultation for a 6-month history of progressive solid dysphagia and dysphonia. The patient presented several voice alterations such as a dysarthric speech with hypernasal voice which evoked the hypothesis of a neuromuscular disease. That patient was observed by a neurologist and was submitted to an electromyography that confirmed the ALS diagnosis. This case highlights the key role of otolaryngologists in the diagnosis of ALS, in a way that many patients with a bulbar ALS form are initially studied by an otolaryngologist.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diogo Pereira
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Miguel Viana
- ENT, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos, Portugal
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Martínez-Molina M, Argente-Escrig H, Polo MF, Hervás D, Frasquet M, Cortés V, Sevilla T, Vázquez-Costa JF. Early Referral to an ALS Center Reduces Several Months the Diagnostic Delay: A Multicenter-Based Study. Front Neurol 2020; 11:604922. [PMID: 33391167 PMCID: PMC7775542 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.604922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To analyze those factors contributing to the diagnostic delay in ALS. Methods: Consecutive ALS patients were categorized as those studied in departmental hospitals and those studied in a referral ALS center. Demographic and clinical variables, together with data of the diagnostic pathway were collected. Multivariable models were used to assess their effect in the time between symptoms onset and the first neurologist visit (time symptoms-neurologist), in the time between the first neurologist visit and the diagnosis (time neurologist-diagnosis) and in the diagnostic delay. Results: 166 ALS patients with a median diagnostic delay of 11.53 months (IQR: 6.68, 15.23) were included. The median diagnostic delay was 8.57 months (5.16, 11.61) in the referral center vs. 12.08 months (6.87, 16.8) in departmental centers. Bulbar onset, fast progression rate, upper motor neuron predominant phenotype and an early referral to the neurologist were associated with a shorter time between symptoms-neurologist. Being studied in a referral center was associated with a shorter time between neurologist-diagnosis. Comorbidities, familial ALS, bulbar onset, early referral to the neurologist and being studied in a referral center were associated with a shorter diagnostic delay. For patients studied in departmental hospitals, fast progression rate was also strongly associated with a shorter time between neurologist-diagnosis and diagnostic delay. Conclusion: Unmodifiable factors (comorbidities, familial ALS, bulbar onset, and progression rate) as well as modifiable factors (early referral to the neurologist and the evaluation in an ALS referral center) have an independent effect in the diagnostic delay. The universalization of ALS Units is probably the most efficient measure to reduce the diagnostic delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Martínez-Molina
- Neuromuscular Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Herminia Argente-Escrig
- Neuromuscular Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Margarita F. Polo
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - David Hervás
- Biostatistics Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marina Frasquet
- Neuromuscular Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Victoria Cortés
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Teresa Sevilla
- Neuromuscular Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicina, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan F. Vázquez-Costa
- Neuromuscular Research Unit, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicina, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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34
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Anestis E, Eccles F, Fletcher I, French M, Simpson J. Giving and receiving a diagnosis of a progressive neurological condition: A scoping review of doctors' and patients' perspectives. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2020; 103:1709-1723. [PMID: 32299642 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Delivering a life changing diagnosis can be a distressing experience for patients and a challenging task for professionals. Diagnosis delivery can be especially difficult for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as motor neurone disease (MND), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). This review aims to scope the literature on doctors' and patients' perspectives on diagnosis delivery for these conditions in order to enhance our understanding in this area and identify potential research gaps. METHODS A scoping review methodology was used, and data were summarised using content analysis. RESULTS 47 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Studies showed that although patients were generally satisfied with diagnosis delivery, a considerable proportion was still dissatisfied with aspects of the consultation, especially the information and time provided and the doctor's approach. Only six studies addressed doctors' perspectives, which focused more on doctors' practice. CONCLUSION There was a significant research gap in professionals' perspectives. The review also found that although basic standards of good practice were being met, a significant proportion of patients were dissatisfied with diagnosis communication. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Professionals delivering such diagnoses need to assess and respond to patients' information needs, provide time for questions and maintain an empathic attitude.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fiona Eccles
- Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1, UK
| | - Ian Fletcher
- Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1, UK
| | - Maddy French
- Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1, UK
| | - Jane Simpson
- Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1, UK
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35
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Cetin H, Sun J, Almqvist C, Reichardt B, Tomschik M, Zimprich F, Fang F, Ingre C. No association between proton pump inhibitor use and ALS risk: a nationwide nested case-control study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13371. [PMID: 32770128 PMCID: PMC7414209 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70373-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been proposed as a potential risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, but little is known regarding its role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We therefore aimed to assess the association of PPI use with the subsequent risk of ALS, and performed a register-based nationwide nested case–control study, including 2,484 ALS cases diagnosed during July 2006–December 2013 in Sweden and 10 population controls per case that were individually matched to the case by sex, age, and area of residence. Dispenses and cumulative defined daily doses (cDDDs) of PPIs were extracted from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. The association of PPI use with the risk of ALS was assessed using conditional logistic regression, after applying different lag windows to avoid reverse causation. ALS patients were more likely to be dispensed with PPIs before diagnosis than controls. However, previous PPI use was not associated with an increased risk of ALS (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.97–1.19), and there was no dose–response relationship between cDDDs of PPIs and ALS risk (p = 0.0874), after excluding dispenses during the year before ALS diagnosis. The results were similar after excluding dispenses during the 2 or 3 years before ALS diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakan Cetin
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jiangwei Sun
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catarina Almqvist
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Matthias Tomschik
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fritz Zimprich
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fang Fang
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Richards D, Morren JA, Pioro EP. Time to diagnosis and factors affecting diagnostic delay in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2020; 417:117054. [PMID: 32763509 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, degenerative neuromuscular disease with limited treatment options. The diagnosis of ALS can be challenging for numerous reasons, resulting in delays that may compromise optimal management and enrollment into clinical trials. Several studies have examined the process and challenges regarding the clinical diagnosis of ALS. Twenty-one studies that were almost exclusively from the English literature published between 1990 and 2020 were identified via PubMed using relevant search terms and included patient populations from the United States, Canada, Japan, Egypt, and several countries in South America and Europe. Probable or definitive ALS patients were identified using El Escorial or revised El Escorial/Airlie House Criteria. Time to diagnosis or diagnostic delay was defined as mean or median time from patient-reported first symptom onset to formal diagnosis by a physician, as recorded in medical records. The typical time to diagnosis was 10-16 months from symptom onset. Several points of delay in the diagnosis course were identified, including specialist referrals and misdiagnoses, often resulting in unnecessary procedures and surgeries. Bulbar onset was noted to significantly reduce time to ALS diagnosis. Future interventions and potential research opportunities were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Richards
- Neuromuscular Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - John A Morren
- Neuromuscular Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Erik P Pioro
- Neuromuscular Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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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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Kacem I, Sghaier I, Bougatef S, Nasri A, Gargouri A, Ajroud-Driss S, Gouider R. Epidemiological and clinical features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Tunisian cohort. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 21:131-139. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1704012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Imen Kacem
- Department of Neurology, LR18SP03, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia,
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia,
| | - Ikram Sghaier
- Department of Neurology, LR18SP03, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia,
| | - Sabrine Bougatef
- Department of Neurology, LR18SP03, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia,
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia,
| | - Amina Nasri
- Department of Neurology, LR18SP03, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia,
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia,
| | - Amina Gargouri
- Department of Neurology, LR18SP03, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia,
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia,
| | | | - Riadh Gouider
- Department of Neurology, LR18SP03, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia,
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia,
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Factors contributing to delays in the diagnosis of motor neuron disease - A South Australian study. J Neurol Sci 2019; 407:116540. [PMID: 31655407 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.116540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE(S) To characterize the clinical factors that influence time to diagnosis of motor neuron disease (MND) in a cohort of patients living in South Australia. DESIGN A retrospective study. SETTING Single centre study of patients managed at a tertiary referral hospital. PARTICIPANTS Patients with MND living in South Australia enrolled in the Australian MND Registry between January 2016 and January 2018. One participant was excluded as study variables of interest were missing. RESULTS The mean time to diagnosis was 13 ± 1 months (median 11 months; range 1-38 months) from symptom onset. 41% of patients were classified as having fast disease progression; mean age of disease onset of those with fast disease progression was significantly later in life compared to those with slow disease progression (68 ± 10 years vs 64 ± 8 years) (P < .05, t = -3.921, df = 220). Patients with fast disease progression were diagnosed significantly earlier than those with slow disease progression (8 ± 1 months vs 16 ± 2 months) (P < .0001, t = 34.6, df = 220), were less likely to undergo multiple specialist opinions prior to referral to a neurologist (53% vs 73%) (P < .05, Chi-squared = 9.5, df = 1), and were significantly more disabled at time of diagnosis (mean ALSFRS-R 33 ± 5) than those with slow disease progression (mean ALSFRS-R 41 ± 5) (P < .0001, t = 12.4, df = 220). CONCLUSION(S) Fast disease progression identifies a dichotomy of MND patients that are diagnosed earlier, probable because they are more disabled at diagnosis, likely mediated by a more efficient referral process. A greater awareness of the disease and increased accessibility to neurologists is required to shorten time to diagnosis.
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Morgante F, Bavikatte G, Anwar F, Mohamed B. The burden of sialorrhoea in chronic neurological conditions: current treatment options and the role of incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®). Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2019; 12:1756286419888601. [PMID: 31819763 PMCID: PMC6883364 DOI: 10.1177/1756286419888601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sialorrhoea is a frequent symptom of neurological diseases (e.g. Parkinson's disease, motor neuron disease, cerebral palsy, and stroke) and is defined as excessive saliva accumulation leading to unintentional loss of saliva from the mouth. Sialorrhoea increases the overall burden on the patient and their caregivers, the impact of which can be both physical and psychosocial. Treatments for sialorrhoea range from lifestyle and behavioural guidance, to medications, surgery or radiation. Nonpharmacological interventions include advice on posture, swallowing control, cough management, dietary changes, eating and drinking techniques, and behavioural modification; however, these conservative measures may be ineffective for people with progressive neurological conditions. The pharmacological treatment of sialorrhoea is challenging because medications licensed for this purpose are limited, but treatments can include anticholinergic drugs and botulinum toxins. Surgical treatment of sialorrhoea is typically reserved as a last resort for patients. IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®) is the first botulinum toxin type A to receive US and UK marketing authorization for the symptomatic treatment of chronic sialorrhoea due to neurological disorders in adults. In this review, we discuss and compare the frequency and method of administration, location of treatment delivery, approximate annual costs and main side effects of botulinum toxin and different anticholinergic drugs. Management of patients with chronic neurological conditions requires input from multiple specialist teams and thus a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach is considered fundamental to ensure that care is consistent and tailored to patients' needs. To ensure that adult patients with neurological conditions receive the best care and sialorrhoea is well managed, we suggest a potential clinical care pathway for sialorrhoea with a MDT approach, which healthcare professionals could aspire to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Morgante
- Neurosciences Research Centre, Molecular and
Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George’s University of London,
London, United Kingdom; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine,
University of Messina
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research
Institute, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom Cranmer
Terrace, Jenner Wing, Ground Floor, Corridor 10, Room 0.135, London, SW17
0RE, UK
| | - Ganesh Bavikatte
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The
Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Fahim Anwar
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Cambridge
University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge,
UK
| | - Biju Mohamed
- Department of Medicine and Gerontology,
University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
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McMackin R, Muthuraman M, Groppa S, Babiloni C, Taylor JP, Kiernan MC, Nasseroleslami B, Hardiman O. Measuring network disruption in neurodegenerative diseases: New approaches using signal analysis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2019; 90:1011-1020. [PMID: 30760643 PMCID: PMC6820156 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-319581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Advanced neuroimaging has increased understanding of the pathogenesis and spread of disease, and offered new therapeutic targets. MRI and positron emission tomography have shown that neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), Parkinson's disease (PD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are associated with changes in brain networks. However, the underlying neurophysiological pathways driving pathological processes are poorly defined. The gap between what imaging can discern and underlying pathophysiology can now be addressed by advanced techniques that explore the cortical neural synchronisation, excitability and functional connectivity that underpin cognitive, motor, sensory and other functions. Transcranial magnetic stimulation can show changes in focal excitability in cortical and transcortical motor circuits, while electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography can now record cortical neural synchronisation and connectivity with good temporal and spatial resolution.Here we reflect on the most promising new approaches to measuring network disruption in AD, LBD, PD, FTD, MS, and ALS. We consider the most groundbreaking and clinically promising studies in this field. We outline the limitations of these techniques and how they can be tackled and discuss how these novel approaches can assist in clinical trials by predicting and monitoring progression of neurophysiological changes underpinning clinical symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roisin McMackin
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Muthuraman Muthuraman
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sergiu Groppa
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Claudio Babiloni
- Dipartimento di Fisiologia e Farmacologia "Vittorio Erspamer", Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura San Raffaele Cassino, Cassino, Italy
| | - John-Paul Taylor
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bahman Nasseroleslami
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Palese F, Sartori A, Logroscino G, Pisa FE. Predictors of diagnostic delay in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a cohort study based on administrative and electronic medical records data. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 20:176-185. [PMID: 30656971 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1550517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: To characterize the timing and pathway of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis and to identify predictors of delayed diagnosis in a retrospective cohort. Methods: The cohort included all patients with incident ALS between 2010 and 2014 in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) region, Italy, admitted to two University Hospitals. Information on demographics, clinical presentation, and healthcare use was obtained from health databases and electronic medical records (EMRs). Total diagnostic time (TDT), the interval between ALS symptoms onset and diagnosis, was compared between patient groups through Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR), with 95% confidence interval (95% CI), of having a TDT ≥12 months was estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Results: Among 134 patients, median TDT (interquartile range [IQR]) was 11.5 months (7.1-18.3), shorter in those aged <60 years vs. ≥60 years (8.1; 5.1-11.1 vs. 12.4; 7.4-21.5; p = 0.0064), first referred to a neurologist vs. other specialist (10.2; 6.1-16.3 vs. 13.2; 8.1-24.5; p = 0.0386) and without neurologic comorbidities (11.1; 7.1-16.5 vs. 19.7; 8.8-33.7; p = 0.0243). TDT was ≥12 months in 64 (48.5%) patients and was predicted by male sex (aOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.06-5.75), age at onset ≥60 years (11.46; 3.13-41.9), spinal onset (2.04; 1.00-5.93), and prior therapies or first referral to a non-neurologist (3.15; 1.36-7.29). Conclusions: In this cohort, delayed diagnosis was common, particularly in older patients and in those with neurological comorbidities. Timely referral to a neurologist may improve diagnostic timing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arianna Sartori
- b Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Neurology Clinic , Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste , Trieste , Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- c Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, Department of Basic Medicine Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari , Bari , Italy.,d Neurodegenerative Diseases Unit, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" at "Pia Fondazione Card. G. Panico", Tricase, Lecce , Italy
| | - Federica Edith Pisa
- e Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology-BIPS , Bremen , Germany
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Theme 10 Disease stratification and phenotyping. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018; 19:282-300. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1510580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Tsai CP, Hu C, Lee CTC. Finding diseases associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a total population-based case-control study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018; 20:82-89. [PMID: 30422689 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1522354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate diseases associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by using a total population-based medical database. METHODS This study included 705 ALS patients aged older than 15 years diagnosed from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2013, along with 14,100 controls matching in sex, age, residence, and insurance premium. Data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) and Serious Disabling Diseases (SDD) database in Taiwan were used to conduct a total population-based case-control study. Prior diseases were categorized as being diagnosed 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 years before first ALS diagnosis. Chi-square or t test was used to examine differences in demographic characteristics between the new patients with ALS and controls. Previous diseases were screened using a conditional logistic regression model. Multivariate analysis was performed using stepwise selection to evaluate the association between these diseases and the risk of ALS. The path analysis was conducted to analyze the pathway between prior diseases and ALS. RESULTS In total, 28 diseases were associated with ALS, including 17 positive associations and 11 negative associations. The path analysis revealed that the 11 negatively associated diseases could be attributed to diabetes mellitus and its comorbidities. The 17 positively associated diseases could be categorized as metabolic syndrome, neuroinflammation, head trauma, sports injuries, infections, and their comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis that diseases developing prior to ALS diagnoses are hypermetabolic disorders. Hypometabolic disorders may have a beneficial effect on ALS incidence. Defective energy metabolism may play a role in ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Piao Tsai
- a Department of Biotechnology , Asia University , Taichung , Taiwan.,b Beito Health Management Hospital , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Chenyu Hu
- c Department of Health Promotion and Health Education , National Taiwan Normal University , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Charles Tzu-Chi Lee
- c Department of Health Promotion and Health Education , National Taiwan Normal University , Taipei , Taiwan
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