Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: prospective study on respiratory parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To verify how efficient respiratory parameters are in the follow-up of subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to observe possible correlations between respiratory and nutritional functions.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with probable or defined ALS were selected and evaluated over eight months using the following respiratory parameters: spirometry, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), arterial gasometry and pulse oximetry; and nutritional parameters such as body mass index (BMI) and percentage weight loss.


RESULTS
P(a)CO(2) was a significant parameter to follow up disease evolution (p=0.051). There was significant correlation between MIP and MEP (r: 0.83); BMI and MIP (r: 0.70); BMI and MEP (r: 0.72); pulse oximetry and forced vital capacity (r: 0.57).


CONCLUSIONS
P(a)CO(2) was shown to be an efficient and significant parameter in the measurement of respiratory impairment; the correlations among MIP, MEP and BMI indicated that these are significant parameters for periodic clinical evaluation.
Almeida
Sara Regina Meira
SR
Department of Neurology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Silva
Luciano Bruno C
LB
Guerreiro
Carlos Alberto M
CA
Nucci
Anamarli
A
D000328:Adult; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods