Assessing quality of life in ALS.

The issue of quality of life is important for the patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and his or her family. Although initial thoughts frequently are that quality of life will be poor, there are strong data to support a relatively good quality of life despite the inexorable decline in strength and loss of function with disease progression. This article discusses how quality of life can be measured in ALS patients and caregivers, the results of studies, and factors affecting quality. It ends with 10 suggestions for clinicians who care for ALS patients and their caregivers.