| Autor: |
Proaño B; Doctoral Degree School, Health Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain., Cuerda-Ballester M; Departament of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain., Daroqui-Pajares N; Departament of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain., Del Moral-López N; Departament of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain.; Microbiology Department, General Universitary Hospital of Valencia, 46014 Valencia, Spain., Seguí-Sala F; Departament of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain., Martí-Serer L; Departament of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain., Calisaya Zambrana CK; Departament of Nursing, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain., Benlloch M; Department of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain., de la Rubia Ortí JE; Department of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain. |
| Abstrakt: |
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease of unknow etiology. Male sex is a well stablished risk factor, but other factors such as early and adult life expositions show contradictory evidence. Aim: to explore the link of clinical, sociodemographic, and occupational factors with ALS patients in Spain and the impact of these factors in functionality. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with ALS patients and healthy controls. Registered variables were smoking, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, previous cancer to reproductive organs or breast, occupational exposure, and early life exposures. Functionality in ALS patients was compared according to each exposure. Results: The ALS group consisted of 59 participants and the control group of 90 participants. ALS patients showed a significant association with previous cancer ( p = 0.011), occupational exposure ( p < 0.001), and older siblings ( p = 0.029). ALS patients presented significant differences in BMI according to hypertension and older-sibling factors. Moreover, respiratory function was affected in patients with previous cancer ( p = 0.031). Conclusions: Occupational exposure and previous cancer to reproductive organs or breast could be linked to ALS patients. In addition, hypertension and previous cancer could affect their BMI and respiratory function. Other factors such as longer smoking periods and exposition to older siblings could also characterize ALS patients. |
