TREATING ALS WITH QUALITY OF LIFE IN LOW-INCOME URBAN PATIENT POPULATIONS

Abstract

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease affecting adults with disease onset averaging between 50-60 years of age. As neurons die, patients experience rapid physical and cognitive decline with death typically following 3-5 years after diagnosis. As there is currently no cure for disease and no treatment to prolong life expectancy, medical management is focused on quality of life. In addition to traditional medical treatments, medical professionals must also consider maximizing autonomy as a way to increase quality of life with a focus on relational and psychological factors. For patients in low-income urban neighborhoods, inequalities affecting agency should be evaluated as part of medical care to increase both autonomy and overall quality of life.