Usefulness of the ALSAQ-5 scale in evaluation of quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Oddział Pulmonologiczny - Samodzielny Publiczny Szpital Kliniczny Nr 1 im. Prof. Stanisława Szyszko Śląskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach ul. 3-go Maja 13-15 41-800 Zabrze
- Oddziat Neurologii, Samodzielny Publiczny Wojewódzki Szpital Zespolony w Szczecinie
open access
Abstract
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 methodsForty-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.
ResultsThe 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.
ConclusionsInitial 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.
Abstract
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 methodsForty-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.
ResultsThe 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.
ConclusionsInitial 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.
Keywords
quality of life, ALSAQ-5 scale, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Title
Usefulness of the ALSAQ-5 scale in evaluation of quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
560-566
Page views
306
Article views/downloads
1574
DOI
10.1016/S0028-3843(14)60153-5
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2010;44(6):560-566.
Keywords
quality of life
ALSAQ-5 scale
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors
Monika Gotqb-Janowska
Krystyna Honczarenko
Jan Stankiewicz