Clinical parameters affecting the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a longitudinal analysis of the Greek registry for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS-GR)
BACKGROUND: Reliable prognostic factors are essential for both clinical and research purposes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The current study aimed to investigate the prognostic properties of clinical parameters regarding the course of ALS. METHODS: A mixed retrospective-prospective cohort study was conducted in 11 specialized centers in Greece. Participants with ALS were assessed on the ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) at baseline and follow-up (on 6-9-12-18-24 months). In case of dropouts, we elucidated whether death had occurred. Adjusted survival analyses were used to explore associations with mortality; adjusted generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations with the rate of functional decline. RESULTS: = 0.031 (0.013, 0.048)]. CONCLUSIONS: Lower baseline ALSFRS-R scores, older age at diagnosis, restrictive respiratory pattern, pain and absence of cramps were linked to shorter survival in ALS. Dysphagia, pseudobulbar syndrome, depression, pain, fatigue, spasticity and shorter intervals between diagnosis and baseline visit to specialized units were related to steeper functional decline.
Authors
- Zisis Tsouris
- Ioannis Liampas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2958-5220)
- Vasiliki Zouvelou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4652-3582)
- Efthimios Dardiotis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2957-641X)
- Panayiotis Mitsias (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9089-4954)
- Marianthi Arnaoutoglou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6476-2651)
- Spyridon Konitsiotis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5217-1317)
- Dimitrios Parissis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4300-2826)
- Elisabeth Chroni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9237-4963)
- Stavroula Salakou
- Eleni Alexiou
- Eleftherios Triantafyllou
- Dimitra Veltsista (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5559-6820)
- Aikaterini Terzoudi
- Alexandros Zampetakis
- Alexandros Giannakis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7787-9979)
- Vasiliki Poulidou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0147-3948)
- Panagiotis Stoiloudis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2380-5018)
- Stratis Kiamelidis
- Michail Rentzos
- Angeliki-Erato Sterpi
- Fotios Kefalas
- Afroditi Moscholouri
- G Tsivgoulis
- Sotirios Papagiannopoulos
- Ariadni Daponte
- Ιoannis Zaganas
- Sofia Xirou
- Styliani Ralli
- Vasilios K Kimiskidis
Institutions
- Democritus University of Thrace (GR)
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
- AHEPA University Hospital (GR)
- Agios Pavlos General Hospital (GR)
- General University Hospital of Patras (GR)
- University Hospital of Larissa (GR)
- University Hospital of Heraklion (GR)
- University General Hospital Attikon (GR)
- Eginition Hospital (GR)
- University Hospital of Ioannina (GR)
- G. Papanikolaou General Hospital (GR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
- Published
- 2026-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/21678421.2026.2648293
- Primary Topic
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00