title: The influence of the initial state of nutrition on the lifespan of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) during home enteral nutrition
abstract: Aim: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease, which leads to development of malnutrition. The main purpose 
  of this research was to analyze the impact of malnutrition on the course of the disease and long-term survival.
  Material and methods: A retrospective analysis has been performed on 48 patients (22 F [45,83%] and 26 M [54,17%], the average age of patients: 66,2 [43-83]) in 2008-2014.The analysis of the initial state of nutrition was measured by body mass index (BMI), nutritional status according to NRS 2002, SGA and concentration of albumin in blood serum. Patients were divided into two groups, depending on the state of nutrition: well-nourished and malnourished. The groups were created separately for each of these, which allowed an additional comparative analysis of techniques used for the assessment of nutritional status.
  Results: Proper state of nutrition was interrelated with longer survival (SGA: 456 vs. 679 days, NRS: 312vs. 659vs. 835 days, BMI: respectively, 411, 541, 631 days, results were statistically significant for NRS and BMI). Concentration of albumin was not a prognostic factor, but longer survival was observed when level of albumin was increased during nutritional therapy. 
  Conclusions: The initial nutrition state and positive response to enteral feeding is associated with better survival among patients with ALS. For this reason, nutritional therapy should be introduced as soon as possible.
authors.affiliation: . nutricion@grupoaran.com.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sznajder
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: S Lefarska-Wasilewska
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kłek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016331:Parenteral Nutrition, Home / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin
keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Malnutrition; Enteral feeding