Safety and factors related to survival after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in ALS. ALS Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Study Group.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been proposed as symptomatic treatment of dysphagia in patients with ALS. Safety and factors related to survival after PEG were analyzed in 50 consecutive ALS patients. No major acute or long-term complications were observed. Stabilization or increase in weight were observed after PEG. Median survival after PEG was 185 days, with a worse outcome in patients with weight loss > or =10% healthy body weight and forced vital capacity <65%. PEG may be a useful option in the symptomatic treatment of dysphagia in ALS.