OBJECTIVES: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable, mainly sporadic neurodegenerative disorder with a currently estimated incidence in Germany of 3/100,000 and a prevalence of 8/100,000. ALS progresses rapidly, and usually leads to death within 2–5 years after onset, often due to respiratory arrest.

For Germany registry data are available from regional catchment areas. ICD-10 code G12.2 mainly describes ALS. Here, inpatient stays of patients diagnosed as G12.2 over 10 years are examined to gain insights into frequency and structure of hospitalizations throughout Germany.

METHODS: Examined and evaluated on G12.2 codes were inpatient care data and death statistics from Federal Statistical Office 2010-2019, the Institute for Hospital Remuneration (InEK) and hospital quality reports. Analysis with Microsoft Excel® and Access® (versions 2019).

RESULTS: In 2020 were 5,640 inpatient cases encoded with G12.2 as main diagnosis (MD), 4,427 as secondary diagnosis (2010: 4,754 and 4,291). This corresponds with 1.8 hospital stays per patient year and seven stays during the course of the disease, based on registry estimates. The number of cases increased by 18% in 11 years. 2019 patients were treated in 757 different inpatient facilities (MD), 68% in 385 neurological departments, 25% in internal departments, 7% other. 32.2% cases were treated in university institutions in 2019 (2014: 29.5%). 454 patients died 2019 during inpatient stay, 21% of all deaths. Average age in 2019 was 66.2 years, median 68 years (MD), male patients on average 65.3 years, females 67.7. Male patients affect about 56% of treatments. Average length of stay (2016) was 8.1d in male, 7.5d in female patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The age and gender distributions found confirm the results of regional registries for hospitalizations at the federal level. Inpatient care takes in Germany place decentrally and with a smaller proportion of university centers. Further information may be gained by a national registry.