The ALS Severity Score of Hillel et al (ALSSS)

Description

Hillel et al developed the ALS Severity Scale (ALSSS) to evaluate patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The score when combined with measurement of vital capacity can provide a rapid and accurate assessment of the patient's disease status. Since the disease is progressive, the scale can help identify the next problem areas and so can aid in treatment planning. The authors are from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Measures:

(1) speech

(2) swallowing

(3) lower extremity and walking

(4) upper extremity, dressing and hygiene

Responses range from normal (10 points) to severe impairment (1 point).

bulbar score =

= (speech subscore) + (swallowing subscore)

spinal score =

= (lower extremity subscore) + (upper extremity subscore)

Interpretation:

• minimum total score: 4

• maximum total score: 40

• The lower the score, the more impairment is present.

Performance:

• The average estimated reliability coefficient between examiners: 0.95

• The correlation between the speech rating and objective speech measures: > 0.80

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10