Polish Association for Palliative Medicine stand on qualification for palliative care and management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS). After craniocerebral injuries, it is the most common neurological disorder causing disability in young people. In the advanced stage of MS, it is difficult to estimate life expectancy, but an important prognostic factor should be the rate of deterioration of a patient's general condition. The burden of care in the advanced stage of the disease should be transferred from functional improvement of the patient to limitation of suffering and providing the patient with comfort. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system. Clinically, the disease is manifested by progressive limb paresis, dysarthric speech disorders, swallowing disorders and chronic progressive respiratory failure. ALS treatment is only symptomatic. An important element of care is to assist patients and their families in making decisions about further treatment and care and decisions about the end of life.