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Non-Motor Symptoms in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Publisher Pubmed



Shojaie A1 ; Al Khleifat A1 ; Opiemartin S1 ; Sarraf P2 ; Alchalabi A1, 3
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
  2. 2. Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Iranian Centre of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom

Source: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration Published:2024


Abstract

OBJECTIVE: While motor symptoms are well-known in ALS, non-motor symptoms are often under-reported and may have a significant impact on quality of life. In this study, we aimed to examine the nature and extent of non-motor symptoms in ALS. METHODS: A 20-item questionnaire was developed covering the domains of autonomic function, sleep, pain, gastrointestinal disturbance, and emotional lability, posted online and shared on social media platforms to target people with ALS and controls. RESULTS: A total of 1018 responses were received, of which 927 were complete from 506 people with ALS and 421 unaffected individuals. Cold limbs (p 1.66 × 10-36), painful limbs (p 6.14 × 10-28), and urinary urgency (p 4.70 × 10-23) were associated with ALS. People with ALS were more likely to report autonomic symptoms, pain, and psychiatric symptoms than controls (autonomic symptoms B = 0.043, p 6.10 × 10-5, pain domain B = 0.18, p 3.72 × 10-11 and psychiatric domain B = 0.173, p 1.32 × 10-4). CONCLUSIONS: Non-motor symptoms in ALS are common. The identification and management of non-motor symptoms should be integrated into routine clinical care for people with ALS. Further research is warranted to investigate the relationship between non-motor symptoms and disease progression, as well as to develop targeted interventions to improve the quality of life for people with ALS.