Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Other Motor Neuron Disorders· 2000
Nutritional assessment and survival in ALS patients
- 199citations
- 2000year
Short summary
Malnutrition, affecting 16-50% of ALS patients, is an independent predictor of poorer survival, driven by swallowing dysfunction and hypermetabolism.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Malnutrition affects 16-50% of ALS patients and is an independent prognostic factor for survival.
- Causes include swallowing dysfunction and hypermetabolism, leading to a vicious cycle of weakness and poor quality of life.
- Nutritional status is assessed by BMI (< 18.5-20 kg/m2 indicates malnutrition).
- Enteral nutrition via gastrostomy tubes is recommended for bulbar-onset ALS and improves respiratory status.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Malnutrition, present in 16-50% of ALS patients, is an independent prognostic factor for worsened survival. It is caused primarily by swallowing dysfunction, resulting from involvement of the lower sets of cranial nerves, but hypermetabolism is also implicated. Malnutrition itself can produce neuromuscular weakness and adversely affect patients' quality of life, thereby creating a vicious circle. The nutritional status of ALS patients can be assessed with dietary review and measurements of weight (W) and height (H). A body mass index (BMI = W/H2) below 18.5-20 kg/m2 indicates a state of malnutrition. Dietary counselling is important, but rapidly becomes insufficient, particularly in bulbar-onset ALS, where enteral nutritional support is then necessary. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement is well tolerated, and provides more efficient enteral nutrition than nasogastric tube feeding. Enteral nutrition support can improve the respiratory status of ALS patients. The effect on survival remains to be confirmed.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Other Motor Neuron Disorders, 2000 · DOI ↗
Continue with a free account
Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.
Continue free on the webSign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.
On your phone:
Field: Neurology (Medicine)
NeurologyMedicine