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Abstract Details

Prevalence of Non-Motor and Pre-Motor Symptoms in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Anterior Horn
P07 - (-)
070
BACKGROUND: There are few reports of non-motor symptoms in patients with ALS in the literature. Such symptoms have never been studied in a systematic fashion using a comprehensive screening questionnaire and therefore might be missed during patients' visits. Also it is not known if motor symptoms are the first manifestations, or if there might be other manifestations preceding the most obvious motor symptoms by months or years.
DESIGN/METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study where we surveyed 24 ALS and 7 control patients with weakness from other causes using a newly designed 37-item self-completed screening questionnaire. The questions were chosen based on previously published literature and experience of the members of our Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinic.
RESULTS: Non-motor symptoms from psychiatric, cognitive, extrapyramidal and sleep domains were more prevalent in the ALS group compared to a limited number of controls. Four out of 24 ALS patients complained of screaming and kicking during sleep which was not noted in controls. Three of these 4 patients noted this symptom before the onset of weakness. The most common symptoms in ALS group were muscle cramping and twitching (19 out of 24), while poor balance was most common symptom in both groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that non-motor symptoms in ALS patients are common and may occur before onset of weakness. Further studies are necessary to confirm this preliminary pilot data and to validate the used questionnaire as a useful screening tool. The knowledge of various domains involved in the disease would prevent failure to diagnose potentially co-morbid symptoms and improve individualized delivery of care.
Authors/Disclosures
Alexander Shtilbans, MD, PhD, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Hospital for Special Surgery)
PRESENTER 		Dr. Shtilbans has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Praxis Medicine. Dr. Shtilbans has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Amneal Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Shtilbans has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Supernus. The institution of Dr. Shtilbans has received research support from Praxis Medicine.
Richard J. Caselli, MD, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Mayo Clinic) The institution of Dr. Caselli has received research support from NIA. The institution of Dr. Caselli has received research support from State of Arizona.
No disclosure on file
Mona Shahbazi (Hospital for Special Surgery) No disclosure on file
Dale J. Lange, MD, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Lange Neurology, PC) No disclosure on file
Caroline Bensa Caroline Bensa has nothing to disclose.