title: Nutritional assessment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in routine practice: value of weighing and bioelectrical impedance analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated clinical and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) parameters at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up and associated these parameters with survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred seventeen patients were enrolled and were evaluated prospectively every 3 months. All patients underwent at least 1 BIA-based assessment, and 73 underwent at least 2 assessments. Data regarding the site of onset, age at onset, weight, body mass index (BMI), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale score (ALSFRS), fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and phase angle (PA) were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of diagnosis, weight loss exceeding 5% of the premorbid weight and low PA were poor prognostic factors. During follow-up, a decrease of PA and FFM were associated with shorter survival, regardless of weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results confirm that BIA is useful to identify poor prognostic factors at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up and thus could be used to monitor patients during follow-up. Early identification of poor prognostic factors enables nutritional management and might improve patient survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, CHRU de Tours, 2 boulevard Tonnelle, 37044, Tours Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Roubeau
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Blasco
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maillot
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Corcia
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Praline
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; bioelectrical impedance; metabolism; prognosis