Research Article
Minimizing the Diagnostic Delay in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The Role of Nonneurologist Practitioners
Table 2
Occurrence of bulbar and spinal signs in our patients.
| ā | ā | At first feeling by the patient (%) | At first examination by GP (%) | At first examination by the neurologist (%) | At diagnosis (%) | General prevalence (%) |
| Bulbar signs | Speech disability | 32.22 | 33.33 | 47.78 | 61.11 | 92.22 | Breathing disability | 6.67 | 10 | 22.22 | 52.22 | 92.22 | Swallowing disability | 13.33 | 13.33 | 37.78 | 51.11 | 86.67 | Excessive saliva | 5.56 | 6.67 | 11.11 | 20 | 42.22 | Tongue fasciculations | 1.11 | 3.33 | 16.67 | 41.11 | 61.11 | Tongue atrophy | 0 | 0 | 5.56 | 16.67 | 40 | PCL | 1.11 | 1.11 | 2.22 | 7.78 | 18.89 |
| Spinal signs | Hoffmann sign | 0 | 0 | 8.89 | 42.22 | 56.67 | LL motor weakness | 42.22 | 47.78 | 57.78 | 70 | 91.11 | UL motor weakness | 31.11 | 35.56 | 52.22 | 72.22 | 93.33 | LL fasciculations | 7.78 | 11.11 | 30 | 67.78 | 74.44 | UL fasciculations | 6.67 | 8.89 | 36.67 | 65.56 | 71.11 | Body fasciculations | 3.33 | 4.44 | 11.11 | 22.22 | 27.78 | LL muscle atrophy | 0 | 1.11 | 10 | 27.78 | 37.78 | UL muscle atrophy | 6.67 | 8.89 | 30 | 57.78 | 67.78 | LL cramps/pain/spasticity | 21.11 | 24.44 | 33.33 | 47.78 | 66.67 | UL cramps/pain/spasticity | 12.22 | 18.89 | 27.78 | 42.22 | 66.67 | Body cramps/pain/spasticity | 1.11 | 1.11 | 2.22 | 5.56 | 14.44 |
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LL: lower limbs; PCL: pathological crying and laughing; UL: upper limbs.
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