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Michels S, Widmann P, Rapp D, Willkomm F, Ludolph AC, Dorst J. Predictive parameters of early respiratory decline in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:3170-3176. [PMID: 35808978 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory insufficiency is a common symptom during the course of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The diagnostic workup may be challenging and includes a wide array of diagnostic measures. In this study, we aimed at analyzing the relationship between hypercapnia-associated symptoms, blood gas parameters, and pulmonary function tests. METHODS We included 109 patients (56 women, 53 men, 62.4 ± 11.9 years) with definite, possible or probable ALS according to El Escorial criteria. All patients received either arterial blood gas analysis, nocturnal capnometry, or both. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry and peak-cough flow. Clinical symptoms potentially indicating hypercapnia were assessed using 17 dichotomous (yes/no) items. RESULTS Of 109 ALS-patients, 40 had hypercapnia. The highest accuracy and specificity for predicting hypercapnia was observed for dyspnea at rest (Youden's index 17%; 95% CI 2%-34%; sensitivity 23%, 95% CI 9%-38%; specificity 95%; 95% CI 88%-100%). Daytime fatigue yielded the highest sensitivity of 58% (95% CI 40% - 76%). Logistic regression for all assessed symptoms combined yielded an area under the ROC of 0.8 (95% CI 0.7-0.9). Compared to the clinical symptoms, FVC and peak-cough flow showed higher sensitivity (70% and 87%, respectively) but lacked specificity (33% and 20%). CONCLUSION Evaluation of the presence of hypercapnic symptoms can be utilized to predict incipient respiratory insufficiency and should complement pulmonary function tests. Further studies are needed to validate specific questionnaires in this regard. No single hypercapnia-associated symptom or pulmonary function test on its own seems sufficient to safely predict hypercapnia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Widmann
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Rapp
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Frank Willkomm
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Dorst
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Bublitz SK, Mie E, Wasner M, Hapfelmeier A, Geiseler J, Lorenzl S, Winkler AS. Thick Mucus in ALS: A Mixed-Method Study on Associated Factors and Its Impact on Quality of Life of Patients and Caregivers. Brain Sci 2022; 12:252. [PMID: 35204016 PMCID: PMC8869921 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this explorative mixed-method pilot study, we set out to have a closer look at the largely under-recognized and under-investigated symptom of thick mucus in patients with ALS and its impact on patients and relatives. Thick mucus is a highly distressing symptom for both patients and caregivers. It complicates the use of non-invasive ventilation and is therefore an important prognostic factor of survival. Methods: In our preliminary study, we used a cross-sectional design, including ten ALS patients with thick mucus who were matched to ten ALS patients without thick mucus. Lung function tests and laboratory and sputum analysis were performed and questionnaires administered in order to determine associated factors of thick mucus accumulation. In a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, we analysed the impact of thick mucus on patients and caregivers. Results: Reduced respiratory parameters as well as a higher degree of bulbar impairment were associated with the presence of thick mucus. Quality of life of patients and caregivers was strongly impaired by thick mucus accumulation. Conclusions: Thick mucus in patients with ALS has a strong impact on quality of life. Reduced cough flow and severely impaired bulbar function appear to be indicative parameters. We suggest that healthcare providers actively explore the presence of thick mucus in their patients and that it becomes included in commonly used screening tools.
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Vogt S, Schreiber S, Pfau G, Kollewe K, Heinze HJ, Dengler R, Petri S, Vielhaber S, Brinkers M. Dyspnea as a Fatigue-Promoting Factor in ALS and the Role of Objective Indicators of Respiratory Impairment. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:430-438.e1. [PMID: 32145336 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT There is no evidence-based treatment for fatigue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and identification of treatable causes determines management strategies. Although dyspnea is a key symptom of ALS and effectively treatable, it has not been sufficiently investigated whether dyspnea may be a fatigue-promoting factor. OBJECTIVES To determine the level of fatigue in dyspneic ALS patients and whether fatigue is promoted by dyspnea. We further evaluated the correlation of fatigue with respiratory function tests. METHODS About 101 dyspneic patients and 20 matched controls completed the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Extension and the Fatigue Severity Scale. Dyspneic patients additionally completed the Dyspnea-ALS Scale and the ALS Assessment Questionnaire and underwent respiratory function tests (forced vital capacity, sniff nasal inspiratory pressure, mean inspiratory and expiratory pressure with respective relaxation rates, and blood gases). Multiple regression and correlation analyses were conducted. RESULTS Dyspneic patients had significantly higher fatigue scores than nondyspneic patients, and their fatigue significantly affected quality of life. Dyspnea alone explained up to 24% of the variance in fatigue. No associations were observed between fatigue and respiratory function tests. Patients with noninvasive ventilation reported significantly more dyspnea and fatigue. CONCLUSION Fatigue is a frequent and bothersome symptom in dyspneic ALS patients. Dyspnea-related distress is, in contrast to objective indicators of respiratory impairment, a determining factor of experienced fatigue. There is an urgent need for further symptom relief beyond noninvasive ventilation. Adequate treatment of dyspnea has the potential for synergies in symptom management arising from the association between fatigue and dyspnea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Vogt
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Schreiber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Giselher Pfau
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Katja Kollewe
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans-Jochen Heinze
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Dengler
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Vielhaber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael Brinkers
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
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Vogt S, Schreiber S, Kollewe K, Körner S, Heinze HJ, Dengler R, Petri S, Vielhaber S. Dyspnea in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: The Dyspnea-ALS-Scale (DALS-15) essentially contributes to the diagnosis of respiratory impairment. Respir Med 2019; 154:116-121. [PMID: 31234039 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2019.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dyspnea is a cardinal but often underestimated symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The newly developed Dyspnea-ALS-Scale (DALS-15) is highly relevant for therapeutic decisions because dyspnea is a separate criterion to consider noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in ALS. In comparison to the limited effects of neuroprotective compounds, NIV has the greatest impact on survival and improves quality of life. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether dyspnea corresponds to parameters of respiratory status mainly used in clinical neurological practice. We also investigated if the DALS-15 could help identify patients for consideration of NIV in whom neither spirometry nor blood gas parameters indicate the need for NIV (forced vital capacity (FVC) < 50% or probable <75%, pCO2 ≥45 mmHg). METHODS Seventy ALS patients with dyspnea according to the DALS-15 obtained blood gas analysis and spirometry (FVC in sitting and supine positions). The supine decline in FVC was calculated. RESULTS There was no linear relationship between dyspnea and spirometry as well as blood gases. 83% of our patients had an upright FVC still greater than 50% and no daytime hypercapnia. CONCLUSIONS Our study clearly shows that dyspnea can occur independently of objective indicators of respiratory impairment like spirometry or blood gases. Hence, the DALS-15 covers another aspect of respiratory impairment than these tests and refers to the subjective component of respiratory impairment. It detects dyspnea in a considerable proportion of patients in whom NIV should thus be considered although their spirometric and blood gas results do not point towards NIV. The DALS-15 therefore may help to improve the stratification of patients with respiratory impairment for more efficient symptom management and timely coordination of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vogt
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - S Schreiber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - K Kollewe
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Körner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - H-J Heinze
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - R Dengler
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Vielhaber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany
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Vogt S, Schreiber S, Heinze HJ, Dengler R, Petri S, Vielhaber S. The Dyspnea-ALS-Scale (DALS-15) optimizes individual treatment in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suffering from dyspnea. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2019; 17:95. [PMID: 31159830 PMCID: PMC6547457 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-019-1167-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dyspnea is frequent in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and one of the most bothersome symptoms. The recently developed Dyspnea-ALS-Scale (DALS-15) is a disease-specific patient-reported outcome to detect and quantify dyspnea. OBJECTIVES To analyze in a case-based approach the diagnostic and clinical implications and the benefit of the DALS-15 for individual patients in daily clinical routine. METHODS Dyspnea was assessed by the 15-item comprising DALS-15 in two patients with ALS. Spirometry was performed and blood gases were analyzed. Results were evaluated in the clinical context of the respective patients. RESULTS In one patient the presence of dyspnea detected by the DALS-15 indicated noninvasive ventilation (NIV) although forced vital capacity (FVC) and blood gas analysis were well preserved. After NIV implementation, the DALS-15 was helpful to determine the patient's need for medication, the timing of NIV titration and the adaptation of NIV sessions. In another patient, who was anarthric and no longer able to perform spirometry due to severe bulbar impairment, the DALS-15 allowed a standardized assessment of dyspnea-related distress independently of bulbar dysfunction. CONCLUSION The DALS-15 provides a deeper insight into the respiratory status of individual patients. It helps to diagnose respiratory impairment in patients in whom NIV should be considered although FVC and blood gas results do not reveal indication for NIV. It is also valuable for the guidance of patients in later stages of respiratory impairment when NIV is already implemented, and in patients with severe bulbar dysfunction. The DALS-15 can improve specific symptom management and coordination of care and therefore has the potential to optimize individual treatment in ALS patients with dyspnea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Vogt
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schreiber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Jochen Heinze
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Brenneckestraße 6, D-39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Dengler
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Vielhaber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany
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Vogt S, Petri S, Dengler R, Heinze HJ, Vielhaber S. Dyspnea in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Rasch-Based Development and Validation of a Patient-Reported Outcome (DALS-15). J Pain Symptom Manage 2018; 56:736-745.e2. [PMID: 30145215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Dyspnea is a cardinal but often underestimated symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The lack of a satisfying assessment tool leads to diagnostic uncertainty and bears the risk that established life-prolonging and symptom-relieving therapeutic options will not be adequately applied. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to develop and validate a German language disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure to assess dyspnea in ALS by combination of a qualitative and quantitative approach using Rasch analysis. METHODS Based on input from clinical experts and patients, a preliminary 35-item questionnaire was developed and completed by 94 patients with ALS having dyspnea. Data were subjected to Rasch analysis and tested for required measurement issues such as appropriate response categories, the absence of differential item functioning, local independence, and unidimensionality. RESULTS After iterative Rasch analyses, the final 15-item Dyspnea-ALS-Scale (DALS-15) was obtained. The scale satisfies the axioms of the Rasch model with good fit statistics, the absence of local dependency, and differential item functioning as well as acceptable unidimensionality. The DALS-15 is optimally targeted and suitable for group and individual use. It shows excellent test-retest reliability and convergent validity. CONCLUSION The DALS-15 satisfies strictest modern measurement criteria and has interval scale properties. It fills an important gap in assessment and could be most helpful to optimize symptom management in patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Vogt
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reinhard Dengler
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans-Jochen Heinze
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Vielhaber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany
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Aslakson RA, Dy SM, Wilson RF, Waldfogel J, Zhang A, Isenberg SR, Blair A, Sixon J, Lorenz KA, Robinson KA. Patient- and Caregiver-Reported Assessment Tools for Palliative Care: Summary of the 2017 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Technical Brief. J Pain Symptom Manage 2017; 54:961-972.e16. [PMID: 28818633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Assessment tools are data collection instruments that are completed by or with patients or caregivers and which collect data at the individual patient or caregiver level. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are to 1) summarize palliative care assessment tools completed by or with patients or caregivers and 2) identify needs for future tool development and evaluation. METHODS We completed 1) a systematic review of systematic reviews; 2) a supplemental search of previous reviews and Web sites, and/or 3) a targeted search for primary articles when no tools existed in a domain. Paired investigators screened search results, assessed risk of bias, and abstracted data. We organized tools by domains from the National Consensus Project Clinical Practice Guidelines for Palliative Care and selected the most relevant, recent, and highest quality systematic review for each domain. RESULTS We included 10 systematic reviews and identified 152 tools (97 from systematic reviews and 55 from supplemental sources). Key gaps included no systematic review for pain and few tools assessing structural, cultural, spiritual, or ethical/legal domains, or patient-reported experience with end-of-life care. Psychometric information was available for many tools, but few studies evaluated responsiveness (sensitivity to change) and no studies compared tools. CONCLUSION Few to no tools address the spiritual, ethical, or cultural domains or patient-reported experience with end-of-life care. While some data exist on psychometric properties of tools, the responsiveness of different tools to change and/or comparisons between tools have not been evaluated. Future research should focus on developing or testing tools that address domains for which few tools exist, evaluating responsiveness, and comparing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A Aslakson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Oncology, Palliative Care Program, Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| | - Sydney M Dy
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Renee F Wilson
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie Waldfogel
- Department of Pharmacy, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Allen Zhang
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarina R Isenberg
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alex Blair
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joshua Sixon
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Karl A Lorenz
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California; Stanford School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | - Karen A Robinson
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Koç F, Balal M, Demir T, Alparslan ZN, Sarica Y. Adaptation to Turkish and Reliability Study of the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2016; 53:229-233. [PMID: 28373799 DOI: 10.5152/npa.2016.11334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease characterized by progressive degeneration of the motor neurons. It is difficult to define the severity of the clinical findings of this destructive disease owing to its rapid progression, which presents serious alterations in a short time even in the same patient. The present study was designed to evaulate the validity of the Turkish version of the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), which has been used in various countries for measuring the functional status of ALS patients. METHODS The ALSFRS-R scores of 41 ALS patients (24 male), in any stages of illness, were simultaneously assessed by two physicians. The functional status of the patients (motor system, bulbar, and pulmonary functions) was evaluated under 12 titles. In every subtitle, the functional status was evaluated as 0 for the worst functional status and 4 for the best functional status. The mean differentials for both subtitles and global scores and the 95% confidence bounds of these means were detected. The coherence was defined as the states in which the coefficient is above 0.80 and is statistically significant. RESULTS From the data obtained, the correlation between the two physicians was found to be statistically significant (p=0.000) in terms of the means of both subtitles and total scores. CONCLUSION It was shown in the present study that in the clinical follow-up of the disease, the Turkish version of ALSFRS-R is a simple, reliable, and easily applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filiz Koç
- Department of Neurology, Çukurova University School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Balal
- Department of Neurology, Çukurova University School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Turgay Demir
- Department of Neurology, Çukurova University School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Z Nazan Alparslan
- Department of Medical Biostatistics, Çukurova University School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
| | - Yakup Sarica
- Department of Neurology, Çukurova University School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
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Pagnini F, Manzoni GM, Tagliaferri A, Gibbons CJ. Depression and disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A comprehensive meta-regression analysis. J Health Psychol 2014; 20:1107-28. [PMID: 24764286 DOI: 10.1177/1359105314530453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is a serious issue with important clinical consequences. However, physical impairment may confound the diagnosis when using generic questionnaires. We conducted a comprehensive review of literature. Mean scores from depression questionnaires were meta-regressed on study-level mean time since onset of symptoms. Data from 103 studies (3190 subjects) indicate that the Beck Depression Inventory and, to a lesser degree, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale are influenced by the time since symptom onset, strongly related to physical impairment. Our results suggest that widely used depression scales overestimate depression due to confounding with physical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Pagnini
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Italy Azienda Ospedaliera Niguarda Ca' Granda, Italy
| | - Gian Mauro Manzoni
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, Italy San Giuseppe Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Italy
| | | | - Chris J Gibbons
- NIHR Collaboration for Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC-GM), University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Cousins R, Ando H, Thornton E, Chakrabarti B, Angus R, Young C. Determinants of accepting non-invasive ventilation treatment in motor neurone disease: a quantitative analysis at point of need. Health Psychol Behav Med 2013; 1:47-58. [PMID: 25264500 PMCID: PMC4164238 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2013.848169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Motor neurone disease (MND) progressively damages the nervous system causing wasting to muscles, including those used for breathing. There is robust evidence that non-invasive ventilation (NIV) relieves respiratory symptoms and improves quality of life in MND. Nevertheless, about a third of those who would benefit from NIV decline the treatment. The purpose of the study was to understand this phenomenon. Design: A cross-sectional quantitative analysis. Methods: Data including age, sex, MND symptomatology, general physical and mental health and psychological measures were collected from 27 patients and their family caregivers at the point of being offered ventilatory support based on physiological markers. Results: Quantitative analyses indicated no difference in patient characteristics or symptomatology between those who tolerated (n = 17) and those who declined (n = 10) NIV treatment. A comparison of family caregivers found no differences in physical or mental health or in caregiving distress, emphasising that this was high in both groups; however, family caregivers supporting NIV treatment were significantly more resilient, less neurotic and less anxious than family caregivers who did not. Regression analyses, forcing MND symptoms to enter the equation first, found caregiver resilience:commitment the strongest predictor of uptake of NIV treatment adding 22% to the 56% explained variance. Conclusion: Patients who tolerated NIV treatment had family caregivers who cope through finding meaning and purpose in their situation. Psychological support and proactive involvement for family caregivers in the management of the illness situation is indicated if acceptance of NIV treatment is to be maximised in MND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Cousins
- Department of Psychology, Liverpool Hope University , Liverpool , UK
| | - Hikari Ando
- Department of Psychology, Liverpool Hope University , Liverpool , UK ; Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery , Liverpool , UK
| | - Everard Thornton
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool , Liverpool , UK
| | | | - Robert Angus
- Chest Centre, Aintree University Hospital , Liverpool , UK
| | - Carolyn Young
- Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery , Liverpool , UK
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Johnson MJ, Oxberry SG, Cleland JG, Clark AL. Measurement of breathlessness in clinical trials in patients with chronic heart failure: the need for a standardized approach: a systematic review. Eur J Heart Fail 2010; 12:137-47. [DOI: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfp194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam J. Johnson
- Hull York Medical School and St Catherine's Hospice; Scarborough North Yorkshire YO12 5RE UK
- Department of Academic Cardiology; Hull York Medical School, Castle Hill Hospital; Hull East Yorkshire UK
| | - Stephen G. Oxberry
- Department of Academic Cardiology; Hull York Medical School, Castle Hill Hospital; Hull East Yorkshire UK
| | - John G.F. Cleland
- Department of Academic Cardiology; Hull York Medical School, Castle Hill Hospital; Hull East Yorkshire UK
| | - Andrew L. Clark
- Department of Academic Cardiology; Hull York Medical School, Castle Hill Hospital; Hull East Yorkshire UK
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Dorman S, Jolley C, Abernethy A, Currow D, Johnson M, Farquhar M, Griffiths G, Peel T, Moosavi S, Byrne A, Wilcock A, Alloway L, Bausewein C, Higginson I, Booth S. Researching breathlessness in palliative care: consensus statement of the National Cancer Research Institute Palliative Care Breathlessness Subgroup. Palliat Med 2009; 23:213-27. [PMID: 19251835 DOI: 10.1177/0269216309102520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Breathlessness is common in advanced disease and can have a devastating impact on patients and carers. Research on the management of breathlessness is challenging. There are relatively few studies, and many studies are limited by inadequate power or design. This paper represents a consensus statement of the National Cancer Research Institute Palliative Care Breathlessness Subgroup. The aims of this paper are to facilitate the design of adequately powered multi-centre interventional studies in breathlessness, to suggest a standardised, rational approach to breathlessness research and to aid future 'between study' comparisons. Discussion of the physiology of breathlessness is included.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dorman
- Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Longfleet Road, Poole.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Refractory dyspnoea is a common and difficult to treat symptom in advanced disease. Accurate assessment helps to guide treatment and prognosis. RECENT FINDINGS The absence of commonly agreed assessment tools has been a significant barrier to improving care through inhibition of clinical research and limitation of clinicians' ability to assess the effectiveness of their interventions. Two recently published systematic reviews on measurement tools for breathlessness identified a variety of tools but none could be recommended as gold standard. Validation of these tools in palliative care seems more appropriate than development of new tools. For clinical purposes, the combination of a unidimensional tool to assess dyspnoea severity and a multidimensional tool to evaluate the impact on a person's quality of life seem most appropriate. This review discusses the present evidence and puts forward a strategy for assessment and measurement of the symptom in clinical practice. SUMMARY Despite a variety of measurement tools none can be recommended as gold standard for the assessment of dyspnoea. A combination of unidimensional and multidimensional tools seems to be the best for clinical assessment. Measurement of dyspnoea has to be seen in context with the person's history, physical examination and diagnostic tests.
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Silva LBDC, Mourão LF, Silva AA, Lima NMFV, Almeida SR, Franca Jr MC, Nucci A, Amaya-Farfán J. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: combined nutritional, respiratory and functional assessment. Arq Neuro-Psiquiatr 2008; 66:354-9. [DOI: 10.1590/s0004-282x2008000300014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2007] [Accepted: 04/23/2008] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To establish correlations between nutritional, functional and respiratory indices of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHOD: Twenty patients (13 appendicular - GA and 7 bulbar - GB) were included in the multidisciplinary study at the Neurological Clinic Ambulatory of the University of Campinas Hospital. RESULTS: Among the GA type significant correlation was observed between maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressure (r= -0.76), MEP and pulse oxymetry (r=0.58), MIP and percent weight loss (%WL; r=0.59), and between MIP, total and subscale respiratory scores (ALSFRS-R) with %WL. With regard to the GB, correlation was found between MEP and body mass index (BMI) (r=0.97). In both GA and GB correlations were noticed between the BMI and the variables mass (kg), fat (%), arm and wrist circumference (cm), and tricipital, subscapular and supra-iliac skinfolds (mm), as well as the arm muscle circumference (cm) and fatty arm muscular area (mm²). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the application of simple anthropometric measurements could be useful in routine monitoring of patients with ALS.
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Bausewein C, Farquhar M, Booth S, Gysels M, Higginson IJ. Measurement of breathlessness in advanced disease: A systematic review. Respir Med 2007; 101:399-410. [PMID: 16914301 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2006.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2006] [Revised: 06/30/2006] [Accepted: 07/04/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a plethora of assessment tools available to measure breathlessness, the most common and disabling symptom of advanced cardio-respiratory disease. The aim of this systematic review was to identify all measures available via standard search techniques and review their usefulness for patients with advanced disease. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in Medline. All studies focusing on the development or evaluation of tools for measuring breathlessness in chronic respiratory disease, cardiac disease, cancer, or MND were identified. Their characteristics with regard to validity, reliability, appropriateness and responsiveness to change were described. The tools were then examined for their usefulness in measuring significant aspects of breathlessness in advanced disease. RESULTS Thirty-five tools were initially identified, two were excluded. Twenty-nine were multidimensional of which 11 were breathlessness-specific and 18 disease-specific. Four tools were unidimensional, measuring the severity of breathlessness. The majority of disease-specific scales were validated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), few were applicable in other conditions. No one tool assessed all the dimensions of this complex symptom, which affects the psychology and social functioning of the affected individual and their family--most focused on physical activity. CONCLUSION As yet there is no one scale that can accurately reflect the far-reaching effects of breathlessness on the patient with advanced disease and their family. Therefore, at present, we would recommend combining a unidimensional scale (e.g. VAS) with a disease-specific scale (where available) or a multidimensional scale in conjunction with other methods (such as qualitative techniques) to gauge psychosocial and carer distress for the assessment of breathlessness in advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Bausewein
- Department of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, Denmark Hill, Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RJ, UK.
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Abstract
Cachexia is a complication of many disorders. It is associated with an extremely poor prognosis and many symptoms. The wasting process affects particularly skeletal muscle causing extreme fatigue and weakness. In many underlying conditions associated with cachexia, the patient also suffers an often unexplained severe dyspnoea along with weakness, asthenia and exhaustion. There appears to be marked similarities in the cause of dyspnoea and fatigue between different cachectic conditions. Using the example of cardiac cachexia, this article reviews the evidence linking skeletal muscle reflex inputs to ventilatory control and exaggerated chemoreflex responses as candidates for the heightened perception of dyspnoea which cannot be explained by heart or lung dysfunction in many patients. Evidence is reviewed that similar processes may occur in other cachexias, especially those complicating cancer, AIDS, chronic liver disease, and chronic lung disease. Potential novel therapeutic strategies to combat these cachexia symptoms are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J S Coats
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
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