Loading...
Guidelines on treatment and management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), last formulated by the AAN Quality Standards Subcommittee in 1999, have now been updated and are reported in two articles. For the update, the authors conducted a systematic review of evidence-based studies on patient management published between 1998 and 2007.
The review highlights an increase in high-quality studies since the last guidelines were formulated, on which the authors could confidently base recommendations on four approaches to managing ALS that prolong survival and enhance quality of life (QOL).
Riluzole should be offered to slow disease progression, as it is modestly effective (level A recommendation).
In patients with worsening dysphagia or significa…