The flail-arm syndrome: the influence of phenotypic features

Objective: The flail-arm syndrome (FAS), one of the Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) phenotypes, is characterized by slow progression and predominantly lower motor neuron (LMN) involvement with proximal upper limb (UL) weakness. We aim to characterize the clinical features, progression and survival of FAS associated with distal or proximal onset and presence or absence of upper motor neuron signs (UMN) signs at diagnosis. Methods: Data from 704 ALS patients was analyzed. Of the 190 patients with UL onset; 134 were excluded as not respecting the published criteria for FAS. The included patients were divided into four groups according to distal/proximal onset and presence/absence of UMN signs. Results: 56 FAS patients (8% of the population), median age at onset 59.9 years (Q1/Q3, 50.3-68.1), 75% men, were studied. Distal onset with UMN signs occurred in 37.5%, distal onset without UMN signs in 28.6%, proximal onset with UMN signs in 8.9% and proximal onset without UMN signs in 25%. Age of onset, sex, fasciculations at onset, diagnostic delay, progression rate, time to respiratory involvement and survival were similar among the four groups. Sex ratio was more balanced in patients with UMN signs (p = 0.032) and survival was shorter (69.5 months, 95% CI: 55.4-110.4 vs 152.6 months, 95% CI: 69.0-177.3; p = 0.035). The Cox regression identified rate of progression (p < 0.001) and UMN signs (p = 0.003) as independent predictors of shorter survival. Conclusions: Distal or proximal onset had no influence on clinical characteristics and prognosis but UMN signs at diagnosis are a negative prognostic predictor.