Motor unit number estimation in evaluating disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 25; no. 9; pp. 1359 - 1363
• Main Authors: Ahn, Suk-Won, Kim, Su-Hyun, Oh, Dong-Hoon, Kim, Sung-Min, Park, Kyung Seok, Hong, Yoon-Ho, Kwon, Oh-Sang, Sung, Jung-Joon, Lee, Kwang-Woo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.09.2010; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Action Potentials - physiology; Adult; Age of Onset; Aged; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - diagnosis; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - physiopathology; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Neurons - pathology; Motor Neurons - physiology; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal - physiology; Original; Severity of Illness Index; 의학일반; Motor Unit Number Estimation; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.9.1359

We investigated the availability of motor unit number estimation (MUNE) as a quantitative method to assess the severity and clinical progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The 143 ALS patients were evaluated by statistical MUNE and the revised amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R). By using mean values of MUNE according to disease duration, regression equation between mean MUNE and disease duration was presented as a formula. The individual MUNE ratio was calculated by dividing individual MUNE value by mean MUNE value. All patients were classified into 2 groups (MUNE ratio <1 vs. MUNE ratio >or=1) according to the MUNE ratio. Comparison between the 2 groups revealed that the patients in MUNE ratio <1 group or MUNE ratio >or=1 group were respectively assigned to rapid progression or slow progression. We recommended informative mean values of MUNE and best regression equation in ALS patients according to disease duration. These values allow us to evaluate the severity and rapidity of progression in ALS.