title: Factors Predicting Survival in ALS Patients--Data from a Population-Based Registry in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The possibility to survive with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) varies considerably and survival extends from a few months to several years. A number of demographic and clinical factors predicting survival have been described; however, existing data are conflicting. We intended to predict patient survival in a population-based prospective cohort of ALS patients from variables known up to the time of diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Incident ALS patients diagnosed within three consecutive years were enrolled and regularly followed up. Candidate demographic and disease variables were analysed for survival probability using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to assess the influence of selected predictor variables on survival prognosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the cohort of 193 patients (mean age 65.8, standard deviation 10.2 years), worse prognosis was independently predicted by older age, male gender, bulbar onset, probable or definite ALS according to El Escorial criteria, shorter interval between symptom onset and diagnosis, lower Functional Rating Scale, diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, and living without a partner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taking into account these predictor variables, an approximate survival prognosis of individual ALS patients at diagnosis seems feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Diakonissenkrankenhaus Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Safer
authors.forename: Johannes C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wöhrle
authors.forename: Frederick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palm
authors.forename: Wilfred A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Nix
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maschke
authors.forename: Armin J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Grau
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012737:Sex Factors