title: Nutritional intervention for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to assess the consequences of early and systematic nutritional intervention on the clinical conditions of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and on the opportunity to maintain a good nutritional status for as long as possible.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three subjects with ALS. Protocol Group: 12 subjects (9 M and 3 F) monitored according to a precise nutritional intervention protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  21 subjects (10 M and 11 F) monitored before applying the protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data recorded at the time of initial assessment were compared and expressed as the mean ± standard deviation for the Protocol Group vs. the
  
  
  METHODS
  BMI (kg/m2) 23.6 ± 4.1 vs. 21.6 ± 3.5; weight loss as a percentage of usual weight 6.6 ± 7.9 vs. 16.3 ± 8.8 (P=0.003). At six months: weight loss as a percentage of usual weight 4.9 ± 6.2 vs. 16.9 ± 10.2 (P=0.002). At 12 months: weight loss as a percentage of usual weight 7.3 ± 7.1 vs. 17.5 ± 11.1 (P=0.03). At the first follow-up visit, fewer patients in the Protocol Group were receiving enteral nutrition (25%) than patients in the CONTROL GROUP (60%). At six-month follow-up visit: 30% vs. 68%. Standard enteral nutrition formulas were used. One year after initial assessment, the mortality rate was 17% for the Protocol Group, whereas it was 24% at six months and 33% after one year for the CONTROL GROUP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If patients are treated before any significant weight loss occurs, early and specific nutritional intervention allows good nutritional status to be maintained for a longer period; if artificial nutrition is required, standard diets are able to ensure adequate clinical results.
authors.affiliation: Metabolic and Nutrition Unit, Local Health Unit (ULSS 9), Treviso, Italy. ildamaria.morassutti@gmail.com
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Morassutti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giometto
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baruffi
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Marcon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michieletto
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giometto
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spinella
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paccagnella
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss