RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Mental disorders in patients with lateral amyotrophic sclerosis (AMS) and their family members were studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Authors examined 118 AMS patients and 97 their family members. Mental status was assessed using Hamilton scale and the frontotemporal dementia scale. RESULTS: Mental disorders were identified in 101 (85%) of AMS patients and in 51 (52.5%) of their family members. The patients had situational disorders, with a slight prevalence of situational depression. Sometimes AMS was comorbid to endogenous mental diseases. Cognitive impairment that reached the diagnostic threshold of dementia was observed in 4.2% of the patients. The family members had only situational disorders with distinct predominance (28%) of anxiety states. Common intoxications (tobacco smoking, drug addiction etc) were noted in 49 (41.5%) of AMS patients and 80 (82.4%) of their family members. Anxiety and other mental disorders often resulted in the noncompliance with physician recommendation and refusal of treatment. CONCLUSION: Permanent patronage of AMC families by specialists of neurologic and psychotherapeutic services and assistance based on the mental state and general medical situation are recommended.
