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The Multidisciplinary Unit Diagnosis and Treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other motor neuron diseases Cartagena is a regional reference and was born in 2014
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has an impact at national level of one to three cases per 100,000 population per year, and in the Region annually are diagnosed between 30 and 50 new cases
The Minister of Health, Encarna Guillen, visited today, on the occasion of World Day of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the Multidisciplinary Unit Diagnosis and treatment of this disease and other motor neuron diseases (Umdtela) Hospital Santa Lucía de Cartagena .
The Umdtela was an initiative sponsored by services Neurology, Ventilation Unit of Pneumology, Endocrinology and Nutrition after analyzing a research work of various aspects related to this disease.
It was established in 2014 and since then this consultation, consisting of 15 professionals including physicians, nurses, psychologists and physiotherapists, has treated 56 patients of the 88 estimated that there could be diagnosed in the region.
The Minister said that this unit "is regional reference since more than 50 percent of patients who are treated in it come from other health areas."
On the other hand, he explained, "in it are also treated patients with other degenerative motor neuron diseases."
Guillen praised the launch of this new welfare service, led by Dr. Eva Fages, since "at present the treatment of ALS is symptomatic requiring close coordination and constant communication between various professionals to enable a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach" .
Research to advance
The Minister of Health indicated that "assistance and research are inseparably order to have a better understanding of this disease and provide treatments that help improve their quality of life patients."
The team of Dr. Jose Moraleda leads in the region over ten years researching possible applications of cell therapy in ALS in order to determine the safety and effectiveness of the infusion of bone marrow stem cells in this disease.
Investigations began with experiments infusion of stem cells bone marrow in an animal model of ALS and tested improvement of motor function in the animal by increasing the survival of motor neurons in the spinal cord.
In 2007, through the Foundation for Health Research and Training in the Region of Murcia, it was applied to human stem cell infusion via intraspinal and this first phase concluded that the technique was safe.
In 2010 the second phase of the trial began with 63 patients to analyze whether the mononuclear bone marrow cells had a positive effect on the evolution of the disease.
Monitoring of patients has been completed and researchers are analyzing the data.
Since 2014, in collaboration with the Hospital of San Juan in Alicante, it is conducting a clinical trial with stem cells of bone marrow from the patient intramuscularly to analyze their safety and possible positive effects.
Also, from the hospital complex Health Area II-Cartagena is working with the National Research Network and Coordination of the various units of ALS as well as other groups in basic, epidemiological and clinical trials research through database.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease of unknown cause that is characterized by the progressive death of motor neurons, nerve cells whose main function is muscle control.
The disease weakens and atrophies the muscles of the body, including the muscles responsible for mobility, breathing, swallowing and ability to articulate the language.
ALS usually affects people aged between 50 and 60 years.
It appears progressively with weakness in a limb that is subsequently affecting the rest.
In other cases it begins in the bulbar musculature difficulties in speech and / or swallowing or breathing difficulties.
The national incidence of this disease is little known one to three cases per 100,000 population per year, representing between 800 and 1,000 new cases.
Annually, in the region are diagnosed between 30 and 50 new cases.
Source: CARM
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