Fatigue and depression are associated with poor quality of life in ALS.

Twenty-five ALS subjects filled out five questionnaires: the ALS Functional Rating Scale, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, multidimensional McGill Quality of Life, Center of Epidemiologic Study--Depression Scale, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Fatigue, depression, and excessive somnolence are more pronounced in ALS subjects than in normal controls. Both fatigue and depression are associated with poorer quality of life in subjects with ALS, and should be treated aggressively.