Study Objectives: To analyze (1) the impact of a protocol of early respiratory evaluation of the indications for home mechanical ventilation (HMV) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and (2) the effects of the protocol and of bulbar involvement on the survival of patients receiving noninvasive ventilation (NIV).
Design And Setting: Retrospective study in a tertiary care referral center.
Patients: HMV was indicated in 86 patients with ALS, with 22 patients (25%) presenting with intolerance to treatment associated with bulbar involvement. Treatment with HMV had been initiated in 15 of 64 patients prior to initiating the protocol (group A) and in the remaining 49 patients after protocol initiation (group B).
Results: In group A, the majority of patients began treatment with HMV during an acute episode requiring ICU admission (p = 0.001) and tracheal ventilation (p = 0.025), with a lower percentage of patients beginning HMV treatment without respiratory insufficiency (p = 0.013). No significant differences in survival rates were found between groups A and B among patients treated with NIV. Greater survival was observed in group B (p = 0.03) when patients with bulbar involvement were excluded (96%). Patients without bulbar involvement at the start of therapy with NIV presented a significantly better survival rate (p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed bulbar involvement to be an independent prognostic factor for survival (relative risk, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 2.54; p = 0.04). No significant differences in survival were observed between patients with bulbar involvement following treatment with NIV and those with intolerance, except for the subgroup of patients who began NIV treatment with hypercapnia (p = 0.0002).
Conclusions: Early systematic respiratory evaluation in patients with ALS is necessary to improve the results of HMV. Further studies are required to confirm the benefits of NIV treatment in patients with bulbar involvement, especially in the early stages.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1378/chest.127.6.2132 | DOI Listing |
Ther Adv Neurol Disord
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 45 Changchun Street, Beijing 100053, China.
Background: Very-late-onset myasthenia gravis (VLOMG) refers to myasthenia gravis (MG) with onset at age 65 or older. Current research on VLOMG prognosis remains limited, especially regarding factors influencing outcomes.
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Sci Rep
January 2025
NeMO Lab, ASST GOM Niguarda Cà Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that can result in a progressive loss of speech due to bulbar dysfunction, which can have significant negative impact on the patient's mental well-being. Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) strategies based on synthetic voices have been shown to assist patients in maintaining communication and improving their Quality of Life (QoL). However, such synthetic voices are often perceived as impersonal and fail to capture the unique voice and identity of the patient.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain Behav
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clinical College of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurorehabilitation, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Background: Respirator failure (RF) is a severe malignant complication in both lateral medullary infarction (LMI) and medial medullary infarction (MMI) patients. However, the differences in clinical and radiological manifestations associated with RF between patients with LMI and MMI have not been fully elucidated.
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J Clin Med
December 2024
Eye Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Microvilli are bristle-like protuberances of the plasma membrane, which express the vitality of mucous and epithelial cells; their alteration indicates a condition of cellular suffering in a predictive sense, making it possible to establish how much an inflammatory state or toxic conditions affect cellular functionality. In this article, the authors evaluate the applications of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination to impression cytology (IC) of the bulbar conjunctiva for the assessment of microvillar alteration as an early ultrastructural indicator of ocular surface health. This method offers several advantages, starting with its simplicity: it involves the non-invasive application of a strip of bibulous paper to the bulbar or tarsal conjunctiva.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Neural Transm (Vienna)
January 2025
Neurology Department, LR18SP03, Razi University Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) has traditionally been managed as a neuromuscular disorder. However, recent evidence suggests involvement of non-motor domains. This study aims to evaluate the impact of APOE and MAPT genotypes on the cognitive features of ALS.
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