Table 2.  The results of previous research and of the present study.

	Bach7)	Kim8)	Present study
			Group A	Group B	Group C	Total
ALS (n)	76	23 (all bulbar)	1	10	9	20 (bulbar type: 3 patients)
Mean age (years)	57 (27–82)±13	52.2±11	64	63.1 (43–76)±10.1	61.4 (44–78)±13.1	61.4 (41–78)±12.2
Mean VC (ml)	1371 (20–3480)±789	823.8±316.5	—	1095±533.4	2286±1074	1659 (550–4500)±1013*
Mean MIC (ml)	1939 (150–5100)±1080	MIC possible to measure in 6 patients	—	—	2387 (800–4000)±986	2387 (800–4000)±986**
Mean LIC (ml)	2409 (780–5400)±989	1543.9±437.8	950	1863 (900–2650)±595	2980 (850–5100)±1176	2366 (850–5100)±1020
Without NIV (n)	22	0	0	5	5	10
Tracheostomy (n)	0	12	1	4	0	5

Data are mean (range) ±SD or number of patients.

*VC could be measured in 19 patients (groups B and C).

**MIC was larger than VC in 9 patients (group C).