20.08.2010.

NORDIC ALS Alliance 2010& Baltic Bridge, Estonia

Dr. M.S.I. NaudiņaHead of the Centre for Neuromuscular DiseasesPauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital

Elīna Pūcīte1st year resident student in neurologyPauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital

• 2 people out of 100 000 each year are ALS patients in Europe;

• In the last 10 years there are193 ALS patients in Latvia;• In the period of 2003-2007, there were 85 patients diagnosed

with ALS.

Year Number of Patients

2003. 11

2004. 10

2005. 15

2006. 22

2007. 27

Total 85

The Incidence of ALS

1. Clinical features (according to El Escorial diagnostic criteria for ALS)

2. Electrophysiological studies:• Nerve conduction studies• Needle electromyography

3. Brain or spinal MRI

4. Other laboratory studies(need to be tailored to the clinical circumstances, in search of treatable look-alikes)

5. Muscle biopsy and neuropathalogical studies ?

Diagnostic Possibilities in Latvia

Education;

Physiotherapy, ergotherapy;

Symptomatic treatments;

Ventilatory management;

Nutritional management;

Disease modifying treatments.

ALS Patient Medical Care in Latvia

Positive:1) Diagnostics of ALS comply with generally accepted

practice.2) Family doctors are eager to refer patients to specialists

with unclear and rare diseases.3) Neurologist is a popular consultant for unclear patients.4) Neurologist's recommendations are met primarily.5) In case of suspicion the patient is admitted to a regional

hospital or multidisciplinary clinic, where broad diagnostic tests are made, including those necessary for the differential diagnosis.

6) Statement of diagnosis does not tend to be delayed.7) Number of diagnosed cases is growing.

Summary

Negative: 

1. Although national recommendations exist, there is no national program that guarantee care standards. Systemic problem that is similar to many rare disease's care with resulting negative aspects:• Care quality differs markedly between the capital city,

regions, and is dependent on the distance to the centre of region;

• Recommendation quality may differ between specialists, as appointments are limited in time, but there are no official issued educational materials for patients;

• The quality of care and support are strongly correlated with initiative and own activity of patient/relatives/caregivers.

• Although physiotherapy and nursing care is widely available, it is not specific for ALS patients;

• Availability of psychologist and psychotheraphy depends on the own initiative of a patient and solvency;

• Support groups for patients and caregivers are not widely available;

2. Assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices are provided by national programme, but waiting is inadequately long, many patients choose paid assistive technology:

• Suction devices and mechanical ventilation is available almost only in hospitals;

• When respiratory problems develop, patients are admitted in intensive care unit to provide mechanical ventilation (quality of life).

Thank you for your attention!