ALS Functional Rating Scale - Revised

ALS Functional Rating Scale - Revised (ALSFRS-R) is a validated rating instrument for monitoring the progression of disability in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is an updated version of the original ALS Functional Rating Scale, and includes additional measures to provide a more comprehensive assessment of patient function and disability.

Overview

The ALSFRS-R consists of 12 questions that evaluate the fine motor, gross motor, bulbar, and respiratory function of patients with ALS. Each question is scored from 0 to 4, with 4 indicating normal function and 0 indicating a severe disability. The total score thus ranges from 0 (most severe disability) to 48 (normal function).

Components of the ALSFRS-R

The ALSFRS-R includes the following components:

1. Fine motor tasks: This includes tasks such as handwriting, cutting food and handling utensils, and manipulating objects.
2. Gross motor tasks: This includes tasks such as turning in bed and adjusting bed clothes, walking, and climbing stairs.
3. Bulbar function: This includes speech, salivation, and swallowing.
4. Respiratory function: This includes dyspnea, orthopnea, and the ability to breathe deeply and cough.

Each of these components is assessed separately, and the scores are added together to give a total score.

Use in Clinical Practice

The ALSFRS-R is used in clinical practice to monitor the progression of disability in patients with ALS. It can be used to track changes over time, and to assess the effectiveness of interventions. It is also used in research settings to measure the impact of new treatments on disease progression.

Limitations

While the ALSFRS-R is a valuable tool for assessing disability in patients with ALS, it has some limitations. It is a subjective measure, and may be influenced by factors such as patient mood and motivation. It also does not capture all aspects of disability in ALS, such as cognitive and behavioral changes.

See Also

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Functional Rating Scale
• Bulbar palsy

References

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