Background. Several nutritional factors have been evaluated as prognostic factors for survival in ALS patients at earlier stages of the disease \[body mass index (BMI), body composition expressed as fat free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), phase angle (PhA), low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL) ratio, cholesterol levels\], while only two studies have evaluated some of these parameters after PEG placement. Aim. BMI and cholesterol levels were evaluated as prognostic factors for survival after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement Moreover, the relationship between body composition and BMI in a subgroup of ALS patients was evaluated.
Methods. Nutritional and neurological parameters were assessed at the time of PEG placement (T0) in 47 consecutive patients. Body composition and PhA were measured in only 22 patients within 2 months from T0. Survival was calculated as the time from the PEG placement to tracheostomy or death.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
47
BMI and cholesterol levels evaluation
Policlinic Hospital
Bari, Italy
nutritional assessment
Weight and height (combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2)
Time frame: at the time of PEG placement (one day)
biochemical nutritional assessment
cholesterol levels
Time frame: only at the time of PEG placement (one day)
body composition assessment
Evaluation of fat mass and fat free mass
Time frame: within 2 months from the PEG implantation (one day)
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