EARLY TREATMENT OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PATIENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that significantly compromises patients' autonomy and quality of life. Given the absence of a cure, therapeutic management plays a central role in maintaining well-being throughout the course of the disease. This article aimed to assess whether the early initiation of therapeutic management of ALS, compared to late initiation, is associated with better quality-of-life indices in patients with the condition. This is an integrative literature review, structured according to the PICO acronym, with searches conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS (via VHL), SciELO, and Embase databases, considering studies published between January 2021 and June 2026 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. After applying the eligibility criteria according to the PRISMA model, 26 studies were included. The findings show that the impact of ALS goes beyond motor impairment, encompassing emotional, social, and existential dimensions. Available pharmacological therapies have a limited effect on the disease course, whereas interventions such as nutritional and ventilatory support, rehabilitation, palliative care, and home-based care prove to be essential for preserving quality of life. It is concluded that, even in the absence of a cure, the early implementation of a comprehensive, individualized, and multidisciplinary therapeutic approach promotes autonomy, care planning, and the dignity of patients throughout the progression of ALS.