Extra-Motor Symptoms in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Analysis of 112 Patients (P7.034)

Objective. The objective of this study was to analyze in a methodical way, the presence of extra motor manifestations observed in patients with definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Background. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective death of motor neurons in brain and spinal cord. Recognition of cognitive impairment as a result of ALS association with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), autonomic nervous system involvement as well as pathological findings related to ALS in cerebellum, nigrostrial systems and allocortical areas suggests that ALS may be a multisystemic disorder. Methods. We analyzed 112 ALS patients diagnosed according to El Escorial, evaluated through ALS functional rating scale revised and searched for extra motor symptoms (EMS). Clinical evaluation was performed at diagnosis and six times during a year of follow up. EMS were registered in initial and last evaluation. Results. All cases have between 2 and 6 evaluations. The most common EMS registered was depression (47 %), pain (26 %), fatigue (24 %), anxiety (18 %), pseudo bulbar affection (13 %) and paresthesias (13 %). Correlation as dependent variables among EMS that might share pathophysiological mechanisms was observed in depression-anxiety (p=0.0250), urinary problems-constipation (p=0.0176) and pain-paresthesias (p=0.0277). Conclusion Although EMS described may be due to incidental occurrence, consequence of severe disability and immobility or related to the aging process of neurodegenerative disorders; systematic methodology to categorize EMS in ALS could result on a better holistic approach for improving quality of life in ALS patients. Disclosure: Dr. Martinez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moreno-Cuevas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gonzalez-Garza has nothing to disclose. Dr. Robles Tenorio has nothing to disclose. Dr. Escamilla Ocanas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Salazar Marioni has nothing to disclose. Dr. Martinez has nothing to disclose.