Usefulness of the ALSAQ-5 scale in evaluation of quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract

Background and purpose

The evaluation of quality of life (QoL) is one of the most important factors in complex care of patients. The aim of the study was to estimate the usefulness of the shortened QoL-evaluating scale ALSAQ-5 in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and to establish the relationship between QoL and age, sex, duration of the disease, education and treatment.

Material and methods

Forty-four patients (24 males and 20 females) aged between 34 and 81 years (mean 58.9) were studied. The QoL was evaluated with the ALSAQ-40 and ALSAQ-5 scales. Patients could score between 0 and 100 pts in both scales (higher score denotes worse QoL). Mann-Whitney U-test, Wilcoxon test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis.

Results

The QoL was worsened by limited physical mobility (ALSAQ-40: 22.5–100 pts, mean 80.8; ALSAQ-5: 25–100 pts, mean 88.6), reduced daily living/independence (ALSAQ-40: 7.5–100 pts, mean 76.0; ALSAQ-5: 0–100 pts, mean 75), communication disturbances (ALSAQ-40: 17.9–100 pts, mean 75.2; ALSAQ-5: 0–100, mean 73.9), and emotional functioning (ALSAQ-40: 5–100 pts, mean 64.9; ALSAQ-5: 0–100, mean 73.9). Eating and drinking dysfunctions (ALSAQ-40: 0–100 pts, mean 66.3; ALSAQ-5: 0–100, mean 67) had a smaller influence on QoL.

Conclusions

Initial analysis shows that ALSAQ-5 is a sensitive and reliable instrument for the estimation of QoL of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. As there are no statistical differences in QoL estimation using ALSAQ-40 and ALSAQ-5, ALSAQ-5 seems to be more useful in clinical practice.