[Nutritional management in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A medical and ethical stake]

Abstract

Malnutrition and dehydration are common and result from swallowing disorders secondary to degeneration of brainstem motor neurons. Recent knowledge argues in favor of the associated primary metabolism abnormalities. Though muscle atrophy, a paradoxical hypermetabolism at rest has often been observed. Hyperlipidemia and glucose intolerance are more frequent than in general population. The heterogeneity of the nutritional assessment of patients in published series is due, partially at least, to the use of disparate criteria and evaluating procedures. Weight lost is an independent negative survival prognostic factor. Overweight may be beneficial for the survival of ALS patients. A specific nutritional management for ALS is an essential point in the multidisciplinary support. The criteria leading to artificial nutrition indication are medical, mainly based on percentage of weight loss, but also psychological and ethical.