Well-being in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their next of kin over time.
OBJECTIVE
The well-being and physical function among patients with ALS and their next of kin was studied over time.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with ALS and their next of kin were studied with respect to physical, general and psychological well-being by the visual analogue scale (VAS) every 4-6 months. Physical function in patients was rated by the ALSFRS-R and the Norris scale. Patients and next of kin rated the well-being of themselves and their counterpart.


RESULTS
The well-being was stable and there was a relation between the well-being of patients and next of kin throughout the time studied. Next of kin rated the well-being of the patients worse than patients rated themselves, while patients rated the well-being of their next of kin at the same level as their counterpart.


CONCLUSIONS
The basic state of well-being as well as the interaction between patient and next of kin seem to be factors that influence the well-being of both patients and their next of kin.
Olsson
A G
AG
Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. anneli.g.olsson@vgregion.se <anneli.g.olsson@vgregion.se>
Markhede
I
I
Strang
S
S
Persson
L I
LI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors