Telemedicine for management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through COVID-19 tail
Alessandro Bombaci, Gianmarco Abbadessa, Francesca Trojsi, Letizia Leocani, Simona Bonavita, Luigi Lavorgna, on behalf of the Digital Technologies, Web and Social Media Study Group of the Italian Society of Neurology, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Giovanni Mancardi, Alessandro Padovani, Marinella Clerico, Francesco Brigo, Roberta Lanzillo, Antonio Russo, Bruno Giometto, Giulia Straccia, Rosa Iodice, Sebastiano Bucello, Pietro Annovazzi, Marcello Moccia, Luca Prosperini, Maria Laura Stromillo, Anna Maria Repice, Giuseppina Miele, Alberto Lerario, Antonio Martino, Francesco Iodice, Francesco Di Lorenzo, Luca Cuffaro, Michele Romoli, Marcello Silvestro, Carlo Alberto Artusi
Abstract
Over the last months, due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, containment measures have led to important social restriction. Healthcare systems have faced a complete rearrangement of resources and spaces, with the creation of wards devoted to COVID-19 patients. In this context, patients affected by chronic neurological diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are at risk to be lost at follow-up, leading to a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Telemedicine may allow meet the needs of these patients. In this commentary, we briefly discuss the digital tools to remotely monitor and manage ALS patients. Focusing on detecting disease progression and preventing life-threatening conditions, we propose a toolset able to improve ALS management during this unprecedented situation.