AI Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using a shortened assessment scale (ALSAQ-5) and understand its relationship with factors like age, sex, and disease duration.
- A total of 44 ALS patients participated, and their QoL was measured using both the ALSAQ-40 and ALSAQ-5 scales, where a higher score indicated worse QoL.
- Results indicated that limitations in mobility, daily living, communication, and emotional health significantly impacted QoL, while eating and drinking challenges were less influential; the ALSAQ-5 proved to be a reliable tool for assessing QoL in clinical settings.
Article Abstract
Background And Purpose: The evaluation of quality of life (QoL) is one of the most important factors in complex care of patients. The aim of the study was to estimate the usefulness of the shortened QoL-evaluating scale ALSAQ-5 in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and to establish the relationship between QoL and age, sex, duration of the disease, education and treatment.
Material And Methods: Forty-four patients (24 males and 20 females) aged between 34 and 81 years (mean 58.9) were studied. The QoL was evaluated with the ALSAQ-40 and ALSAQ-5 scales. Patients could score between 0 and 100 pts in both scales (higher score denotes worse QoL). Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis.
Results: The QoL was worsened by limited physical mobi-lity (ALSAQ-40: 22.5-100 pts, mean 80.8; ALSAQ-5: 25-100 pts, mean 88.6), reduced daily living/independence (ALSAQ-40: 7.5-100 pts, mean 76.0; ALSAQ-5: 0-100 pts, mean 75), communication disturbances (ALSAQ-40: 17.9-100 pts, mean 75.2; ALSAQ-5: 0-100, mean 73.9), and emotional functioning (ALSAQ-40: 5-100 pts, mean 64.9; ALSAQ-5: 0-100, mean 73.9). Eating and drinking dysfunctions (ALSAQ-40: 0-100 pts, mean 66.3; ALSAQ-5: 0-100, mean 67) had a smaller influence on QoL.
Conclusions: Initial analysis shows that ALSAQ-5 is a sensitive and reliable instrument for the estimation of QoL of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. As there are no statistical differences in QoL estimation using ALSAQ-40 and ALSAQ-5, ALSAQ-5 seems to be more useful in clinical practice.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0028-3843(14)60153-5 | DOI Listing |
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Usefulness of the ALSAQ-5 scale in evaluation of quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Neurol Neurochir Pol
April 2011
Katedra i Klinika Neurologii PUM, ul. Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using a shortened assessment scale (ALSAQ-5) and understand its relationship with factors like age, sex, and disease duration.
- A total of 44 ALS patients participated, and their QoL was measured using both the ALSAQ-40 and ALSAQ-5 scales, where a higher score indicated worse QoL.
- Results indicated that limitations in mobility, daily living, communication, and emotional health significantly impacted QoL, while eating and drinking challenges were less influential; the ALSAQ-5 proved to be a reliable tool for assessing QoL in clinical settings.
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