title: Should patients with ALS gain weight during their follow-up?
abstract: It was recently postulated that a nutritional intervention aiming at achieving weight gain might increase survival in ALS patients. This article discusses the effect of nutritional status and weight gain on survival, respiratory status and physical function. Based on the available literature, it remains unknown whether weight gain during the progression of the disease improves survival whatever the baseline body weight is. A high body mass index may impair respiratory muscle function and passive mobilization of paretic patients. Future research should evaluate the effect of changes in weight and body composition on clinical outcome while taking into account respiratory muscle strength and physical function.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anne-Chantal
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Héritier
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Ruxandra Iancu
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Ferfoglia
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nutrition, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: laurence.genton@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Genton
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology; D012119:Respiration; D013851:Thinness / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy; D015430:Weight Gain
keywords: ALS; Body composition; Fat mass; Fat-free mass; Mortality; Respiratory function; Weight