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November 17, 2009; 73 (20) Articles

Study of 962 patients indicates progressive muscular atrophy is a form of ALS

W. -K. Kim, X. Liu, J. Sandner, M. Pasmantier, J. Andrews, L. P. Rowland, H. Mitsumoto
First published November 16, 2009, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181c1dea3
W. -K. Kim
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X. Liu
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J. Sandner
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M. Pasmantier
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J. Andrews
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L. P. Rowland
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H. Mitsumoto
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Citation
Study of 962 patients indicates progressive muscular atrophy is a form of ALS
W. -K. Kim, X. Liu, J. Sandner, M. Pasmantier, J. Andrews, L. P. Rowland, H. Mitsumoto
Neurology Nov 2009, 73 (20) 1686-1692; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181c1dea3

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Abstract

Background: Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) is clinically characterized by signs of lower motor neuron dysfunction and may evolve into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Whether PMA is actually a form of ALS has important consequences clinically and for therapeutic trials. We compared the survival of patients with PMA or ALS to analyze the clinical features that influence survival in PMA.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients with PMA (n = 91) or ALS (n = 871) from our ALS Center and verified survival by telephoning the families or using the National Death Index.

Results: In PMA, patients were more likely to be male (p < 0.001), older (p = 0.007), and lived longer (p = 0.01) than in ALS. Cox model analysis suggested that the risk of death increased with age at onset in both patient groups (p < 0.005). Upper motor neuron (UMN) signs developed in 22% of patients with PMA within 61 months after diagnosis. Demographic and other clinical variables did not differ at diagnosis between those who did or did not develop UMN signs. In PMA, the factors present at diagnosis that predicted shorter survival were greater number of body regions affected, lower forced vital capacity, and lower ALS Functional Rating Scale–Revised score. Noninvasive ventilation and gastrostomy were used frequently in PMA.

Conclusion: Although patients with progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) tended to live longer than those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), shorter survival in PMA is associated with the same risk factors that predict poor survival in ALS. Additionally, PMA is relentlessly progressive, and UMN involvement can occur, as also reported in imaging and postmortem studies. For these reasons, PMA should be considered a form of ALS.

Glossary

ALS=
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;
ALSFRS-R=
ALS Functional Rating Scale–Revised;
CI=
confidence interval;
FVC=
forced vital capacity;
HR=
hazard ratio;
LMN=
lower motor neuron;
MND=
motor neuron disease;
MRS=
magnetic resonance spectroscopy;
NIV=
noninvasive ventilation;
PEG=
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy;
PMA=
progressive muscular atrophy;
TMS=
transcranial magnetic stimulation;
UMN=
upper motor neuron.
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Disputes & Debates: Rapid online correspondence

  • Study of 962 patients indicates progressive muscular atrophy is a form of ALS
    • Ken Ikeda, Department of Neurology, Toho University Omori Medical Center, 6-11-1, Omorinishi, Otaku, Tokyo, 143-8541, Japankeni@med.toho-u.ac.jp
    • Yasuo Iwasaki
    Submitted March 08, 2010
  • Reply from the authors
    • Hiroshi Mitsumoto, The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Research Center, The Neurological Institute of New York, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032hm264@columbia.edu
    • W. -K. Kim, X. Liu, J. Sandner, M. Pasmantier, J. Andrews, L. P. Rowland
    Submitted March 08, 2010
  • Study of 962 patients indicates progressive muscular atrophy is a form of ALS
    • Roger Pamphlett, The University of Sydney, The Stacey MND Laboratory, The University of Sydney, Australia 2006rogerp@med.usyd.edu.au
    Submitted February 25, 2010
  • Reply from the authors/ Pamphlett
    • Hiroshi Mitsumoto, Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Research Center, The Neurological Institute of New York, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032hm264@mail.cumc.columbia.edu
    • W. -K. Kim, X. Liu, J. Sandner, M. Pasmantier, J. Andrews, L. P. Rowland
    Submitted February 25, 2010
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