Work

Post-traumatic stress disorder in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and its correlation with clinical symptoms

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also exhibit non-motor symptoms; however, the relationship between the disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is unclear. Objective This study aimed to determine the frequency of PTSD and its correlation with motor disability and cognitive impairment in patients with ALS. Methods PTSD was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V (DSM-V), and its severity was quantified using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) in 106 patients with ALS and 55 healthy controls (HCs). Patients were assessed for clinical symptom severity by the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). Cognitive and behavioral functioning were assessed by the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS), the Frontal Behavioral Inventory (FBI), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scales. Results PTSD was diagnosed in 32 (30.2 %) patients with ALS. Compared to patients with ALS and without PTSD (ALS-NP), patients with ALS and PTSD (ALS-P) had significantly lower ALSFRS-R and higher FBI scores ( P < 0.05). Moreover, in the ALS-P patients, the PCL-5 scores significantly correlated with the ALSFRS-R scores ( r = − 0.302; P = 0.03) and FBI scores ( r = 0.421; P = 0.02). Conclusion Our findings suggest that PTSD is a common condition in patients with ALS.

Source: Healthcare and Rehabilitation

DOI: 10.1016/j.hcr.2024.100010

Authors: Jun Zhu, Tianrui Wen, Lejin Yang, Xiaohan Sun, Pengfei Lin, Shuangwu Liu

Institutions: Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong University

Language: English

Topic: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

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