Abstract
The subjects of this clinical study are 17 patients with ALS(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), who were diagnosed in other or our hospital from January 1987 to Nomember 1997. The age of onset, clinical signs, type of ALS, methods of treatment and outcomes, etc. were studied and analyzed. The data are summarized as follows ; 1) The mean age was $52.4{\pm}11.5$ years old, and the ratio of male to female was 2.4:1. There is increasing frequency with rising age. 2) Pseudopolyneuritic type(67%) is the most in male patients, bulbar type(60%) is the most in female patients, and totaly Pseudopolyneuritic type(54%) is the most. 3) In the period of hospitalization after onset, 1 year(11 cases, 64.8%) is the most frequent, and 2 year(2 cases, 11.7%), 1 month(2 cases, 11.7%), 4 years(1 case, 5.9%) and 6 months(1 case, 5.9%) in orders. 4) In the duration of admission, 10 days(8 cases, 47.2%) is the most frequent, and 30 days(4 cases 23.5%), 2 months(2 cases, 11.7%), 20 days(2 cases, 11.7%) and 3 months(1 case, 5.9%) in orders. 5) In the signs of patients, muscle weakness(17 cases, 100%), bulbar signs(14 cases, 82.4%), increased reflex of deep tendon(10 case, 58.8%), muscle atrophy (7 cases, 41.2%) and fasciculations(7 cases, 41.2%) were in orders. 6) In the methods of treatment, herb-medication(17 cases, 100%), acupuncture therapy(16 cases, 94.1%), physical therapy(7 cases, 41.2%), moxibustion therapy(5 cases, 29.4%), cupping therapy(4 case, 23.5%) and moxa-pack(1 case 5.9%) were administered in orders. 7) As to the outcome of treatment, 8(47.1%) were no changed, 4(23.5%) improved, 4(23.5%) aggravated, 1(5.9%) expired in orders.
