Shortening the time to the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: role of the neurologist.
Early diagnosis is particularly relevant in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as new therapies, which may have a direct impact on the outcome of the disease, are being developed. Many ALS patients go to non-neurological specialists rather than neurologists for their first consultation. Neurologists specialized in the field of neuromuscular diseases therefore have a duty to help general neurologists and other non-neurological specialists to recognize the disease. This may be achieved by disseminating the El Escorial/Airlie House clinical and electrophysiological criteria for the diagnosis of ALS as well as by emphasizing that ALS is a manageable condition. Neurologists should collaborate better with patient organizations as well as reinforce public awareness of ALS.
Dubrovsky
A L
AL
Seccion de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Centro Neurologico, Hospital Frances, Buenos Aires, Argentina. dubro@fibertel.com.ar
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011379:Prognosis