Evaluation of Functional Disability in ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative fatal disorder of motor neuron. In this research course of functional disability and possible underlying factors affecting disability were studied. First 59 patients with definite ALS were selected and for each patient ALSFRS (ALS Functional Rating Scale) was determined at Initial and the end of a six month period. During this period 9 patients expired. Bulbar onset localization showed a more rapid course than non-bulbar onset group. There was no significant relationship between the age group or gender with progression of disability. In expired group, mean survival in bulbar onset and older patients were significantly less than those with non-bulbar onset and younger ones. There was no significant relationship between survival and gender.