What is the prognosis of ALS?
Average survival is 3-5 years after the onset of first symptom
Cause of death are respiratory failure and insufficiency
Bulbar onset MND has worst prognosis, median survival is 20 months and 5% survive 5 years after the onset
Spinal onset MND has median survival of 29 months and 15% survive 5 years after the onset
Short survival is associated with the following
Survival in ALS is depended on clinical and laboratory values
Clinical factors that determine the prognosis
Cause of death are respiratory failure and insufficiency
Bulbar onset MND has worst prognosis, median survival is 20 months and 5% survive 5 years after the onset
Spinal onset MND has median survival of 29 months and 15% survive 5 years after the onset
Short survival is associated with the following
Survival in ALS is depended on clinical and laboratory values
Clinical factors that determine the prognosis
- Increasing age
- Recent significant weight loss
- Short time from onset to diagnosis
- Rapid rate of strength & respiratory loss during 6 months after diagnosis
- Respiratory failure
- No gastrostomy
- Poor pulmonary function < 60% of predicted
- Serum chloride: Falling; relation to poor nutrition
- EMG
- Low CMAPs
- Decrement on RNS
- EMG: Marked jitter; Low fiber density
