A multidisciplinary clinic approach improves survival in ALS: a comparative study of ALS in Ireland and Northern Ireland

摘要

Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS) is a progressive debilitating neurodegenerative disease, with a life expectancy of 3-5 years from first symptom. There is compelling evidence that those who attend a multidisciplinary clinic experience improved survival. The purpose of the study was to explore the survival of patients with ALS ascertained through population-based Registers in the Republic of Ireland ( RoI) and Northern Ireland ( NI), and to determine whether centralisation of services confers advantage compared with community-based care supported by a specialist care worker.