Background. Several nutritional factors have been evaluated as prognostic factors for survival in ALS patients at earlier stages of the disease [body mass index (BMI), body composition expressed as fat free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), phase angle (PhA), low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL) ratio, cholesterol levels], while only two studies have evaluated some of these parameters after PEG placement.

Aim. BMI and cholesterol levels were evaluated as prognostic factors for survival after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement Moreover, the relationship between body composition and BMI in a subgroup of ALS patients was evaluated.

Methods. Nutritional and neurological parameters were assessed at the time of PEG placement (T0) in 47 consecutive patients. Body composition and PhA were measured in only 22 patients within 2 months from T0. Survival was calculated as the time from the PEG placement to tracheostomy or death.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ALS patients who underwent PEG tube placement from 2006 to 2015 and were referred to the artificial nutrition team of the Gastroenterology Unit

Exclusion Criteria:

• ALS patients without PEG

This study included 47 consecutive patients referring to the Neurological ALS Tertiary Centre, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, who underwent PEG tube placement from 2006 to 2015 and were referred to the artificial nutrition team of the Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, of the same University Hospital. All patients fulfilled revised El Escorial criteria for probable or definite classical ALS.

the results have not yet been shared with all the authors