Medical and Supportive Care Among People with ALS in the Months Before Death or Tracheostomy

People with amyotrphic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who choose tracheostomy demonstrate a strong and mostly consistent attachment to life from the point of diagnosis. It is unclear if these patients also use medical and health services to a greater degree than patients whoh decide against tracheostomy. In this research, patients with a high likelihood of dyingn over six months (forced vital capacity < 50% predicted) were followed monthly until death or tracheostomy with long-term mechanical ventilation (LTMV). Patient service use was measured by caregiver reports of 1) ALS-specific prosthetic debvices, 2) allied health or medical services, 3) legal preparation for medical care or the end of life, and 4) medical care episodes. Caregivers also reported all patient prescription medications. At follow-up, 57 patients died and 14 elected to have tracheostomy and LTMV. Patients who opted for LTMV were younger and had higher household incomes. They were significantly more likely to use nasal-ventilation, paid home care, and family or personal counseling over follow-up, they were also more likely to remain on medications. The proactive orientation to health and desire to live despite severe disability reported for people choosing LTMV thus extends as well to more intensive use of medical and supportive care in the months before tracheostomy. A challenging task for clinicians is to acknowledge this strong desire to live while providing appropriate expectations for life after tracheostomy. J Pain Symptom Manage 2009;38:546-553. (C) 2009 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.