A Nation-Wide, Multi-Center Study on the Quality of Life of ALS Patients in Germany

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Tara Peseschkian - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Isabell Cordts - , Klinikum Rechts der Isar (MRI TUM) (Author)
  • René Günther - , Department of Neurology, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden site (Partner: DZNE of the Helmholtz Association) (Author)
  • Benjamin Stolte - , University Hospital Essen (Author)
  • Daniel Zeller - , University Hospital of Würzburg (Author)
  • Carsten Schröter - , Hoher Meißner Clinic (Author)
  • Ute Weyen - , BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum (Author)
  • Martin Regensburger - , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Joachim Wolf - , Diakonissenkrankenhaus Mannheim (Author)
  • Ilka Schneider - , Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Author)
  • Andreas Hermann - , University of Rostock (Author)
  • Moritz Metelmann - , University Hospital Leipzig (Author)
  • Zacharias Kohl - , University Hospital Regensburg (Author)
  • Ralf A Linker - , University Hospital Regensburg (Author)
  • Jan Christoph Koch - , University Medical Center Göttingen (Author)
  • Boriana Büchner - , Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich (Author)
  • Ulrike Weiland - , Ulm University Medical Center (Author)
  • Erik Schönfelder - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Felix Heinrich - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Alma Osmanovic - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Thomas Klopstock - , Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) - Partner Site Munich (Author)
  • Johannes Dorst - , Ulm University Medical Center (Author)
  • Albert C Ludolph - , Ulm University Medical Center (Author)
  • Matthias Boentert - , University Hospital Münster (Author)
  • Tim Hagenacker - , University Hospital Essen (Author)
  • Marcus Deschauer - , Klinikum Rechts der Isar (MRI TUM) (Author)
  • Paul Lingor - , Klinikum Rechts der Isar (MRI TUM) (Author)
  • Susanne Petri - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Olivia Schreiber-Katz - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)

Abstract

Improving quality of life (QoL) is central to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment. This Germany-wide, multicenter cross-sectional study analyses the impact of different symptom-specific treatments and ALS variants on QoL. Health-related QoL (HRQoL) in 325 ALS patients was assessed using the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire 5 (ALSAQ-5) and EuroQol Five Dimension Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L), together with disease severity (captured by the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R)) and the current care and therapies used by our cohort. At inclusion, the mean ALSAQ-5 total score was 56.93 (max. 100, best = 0) with a better QoL associated with a less severe disease status (β = -1.96 per increase of one point in the ALSFRS-R score, p < 0.001). "Limb-onset" ALS (lALS) was associated with a better QoL than "bulbar-onset" ALS (bALS) (mean ALSAQ-5 total score 55.46 versus 60.99, p = 0.040). Moreover, with the ALSFRS-R as a covariate, using a mobility aid (β = -7.60, p = 0.001), being tracheostomized (β = -14.80, p = 0.004) and using non-invasive ventilation (β = -5.71, p = 0.030) were associated with an improved QoL, compared to those at the same disease stage who did not use these aids. In contrast, antidepressant intake (β = 5.95, p = 0.007), and increasing age (β = 0.18, p = 0.023) were predictors of worse QoL. Our results showed that the ALSAQ-5 was better-suited for ALS patients than the EQ-5D-5L. Further, the early and symptom-specific clinical management and supply of assistive devices can significantly improve the individual HRQoL of ALS patients. Appropriate QoL questionnaires are needed to monitor the impact of treatment to provide the best possible and individualized care.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number372
JournalBrain sciences
Volume11
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 14 Mar 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC7998410
Scopus 85103078790

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals