title: Examining the evidence about treatment in ALS/MND.
abstract: The application of evidence-based medicine to the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is just beginning. A small number of systematic reviews analyzing the pertinent evidence, grading the methodology and formulating recommendations to guide clinical decision-making have begun to appear. The American Academy of Neurology practice parameters for informing the patient and managing nutritional and respiratory issues and palliative care are discussed. In addition, the first systematic review in the field of ALS/MND from the Cochrane collaboration concerns riluzole treatment and this meta-analysis is also described. Some of the most important recommendations that have the potential to significantly prolong survival and enhance quality of life are the early institution of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for patients with significant dysphagia, and the initiation of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for patients with symptoms of early respiratory insufficiency. Assertive treatment of pain and dyspnea are also strongly recommended for patients with ALS. The North American ALS patient database, ALS C.A.R.E., is also described as a methodology for measuring clinical outcomes, and some early results are presented. The evidence on riluzole indicates effectiveness in prolonging survival with a good safety profile.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco 94115, USA. rmiller@cooper.cpmc.org
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003422:Critical Care; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019782:Riluzole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D019782:Riluzole