Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that leads to muscle weakness and paralysis. Fatigue is a disabling symptom, frequently reported in ALS, but remains under-investigated in this population. Thus, an accurate investigation of this symptom and possible associated factors in this clinical condition is needed to assist in the establishment of an adequate treatment approach. Objective To investigate the presence of fatigue in individuals with ALS and possible factors correlated with this symptom. Methods Sixty-five individuals with sporadic ALS participated in the present study. Demographic, clinical, and functional aspects were investigated. Evaluations involved the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), ALS Functional Scale (ALSRFS-R), and Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire (ALSAQ-40). Descriptive and correlation analyses were performed with SPSS statistical program for Windows version 19.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Among the 65 individuals evaluated, 44.6% (n = 29) presented fatigue based on the FSS. The mean fatigue intensity was 5.4 ± 1.2 and only 10.4% used a specific medication for fatigue. Differences between the groups with and without fatigue were found regarding sex (p = 0.049), pain intensity (p = 0.026), functioning (p = 0.004), disease severity (p = 0.029), and QoL (p = 0.000). Fatigue was correlated with pain intensity (r = 0.425; p = 0.001), muscle strength (r = - 0.356; p = 0.004), functioning (r = - 0.363; p = 0.003), and QoL (r = 0.481; p = 0.000). No correlations were found with age, time since diagnosis, cramps, or other mobility parameters. Conclusions Fatigue is a common symptom among individuals with ALS and may be present in all stages of the disease. This symptom was correlated with worse functioning, poorer QoL, greater pain intensity, disease severity, muscle weakness, and the female sex in individuals with ALS.

Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e observacional que possui como objetivo central desenvolver e aplicar um conjunto de ações de comunicação pública da ciência, por meio da arte, focando na segurança alimentar e nutricional, para trabalhadores de dois Bancos de Alimentos, identificados como BA1 e BA2, da Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. A capacitação foi realizada por meio de cinco encontros, com dinâmicas e atividades interligadas, que relacionavam conceitos sobre boas práticas de higiene com obras de grandes artistas. Por meio do método observacional e aplicação de questionários (inicial e final) foi possível identificar o perfil dos participantes, bem como verificar a percepção dos mesmos sobre a metodologia utilizada. Mais de 80% dos participantes relataram não possuir interesse pela arte, porém 100% afirmaram que as atividades propostas interferiram positivamente no seu entusiasmo pelo assunto. Quando questionados sobre a opinião geral do curso, 100% dos trabalhadores consideraram o curso “Bom” ou “Muito Bom” e 90% afirmaram que realizariam outro curso nesses moldes. Além disso, todos os participantes afirmaram que a metodologia facilitou o processo de aprendizagem. Portanto, foi possível concluir que a estratégia utilizada foi uma boa ferramenta para sensibilização e conscientização dos trabalhadores sobre a importância dos cuidados de higiene pessoal e do ambiente de trabalho para a segurança alimentar. Palavras-chave: Segurança Alimentar; Comunicação Pública; Ciência; Educação   Education in health with art: a partnership between University and Food Banks Abstract: This descriptive and observational study has as main goal to develop and apply a set of actions about science’s public communication through art, focusing on the food and nutritional security for employees from two Food Banks (FB), identified as FB1 and FB2, in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte. The training was conducted through five meetings using dynamics and activities, relating good hygiene practice with artistic products from renowned artists. Through observational method and questionnaires application (beginning and ending), it was possible to identify the profile of participants, as well as their perceptions about the methodology applied. More than 80% of the participants reported a lack of interest in art; however, 100% declared that the activities interfered positively on their enthusiasm about the subject. When asked about the general opinion of the training, 100% of the employees considered as “Good” or “Very Good” and 90% declared that they would be interested in carrying out similar training. Also, all participants said that the methodology facilitated the learning process. In summary, we may conclude that the applied strategy was a useful tool for the employee’s awareness and consciousness about the importance of hygiene care for food security in the working and personal environment. Keywords: Food Security; Public Communication; Science; Education    Educación en salud con arte: una asociación entre Universidad y Bancos de Alimentos Resumen: Ese estudio descriptivo y observacional tiene como objetivo general desarrollar y aplicar un conjunto de acciones de comunicación pública de la ciencia por medio del arte, con enfoque en la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional con trabajadores  de los Bancos de Alimentos, identificados como BA1 y BA2, de la Región Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. La capacitación fue realizada en 5 encuentros con dinámicas y actividades interrelacionando conceptos sobre prácticas de una higiene adecuada con obras de grandes artistas. Usando el método observacional y aplicación de cuestionarios (inicio y final) fue posible identificar el perfil de los participantes, además de verificar la percepción de esas personas sobre la metodología utilizada. Más del 80% de los participantes relataron no poseer interés por el arte, pero el 100% afirmó que las actividades propuestas interfirieron de manera positiva en su entusiasmo por el tema. Cuando cuestionados sobre la opinión general sobre la capacitación, el 100% de los participantes consideraron la capacitación como "buena" o "muy buena" y el 90% afirmaron que realizarían otro curso equivalente. Además, todos los participantes afirmaron que la metodología facilitó el proceso de aprendizaje. En resumen, concluimos que la estrategia utilizada fue una relevante herramienta para sensibilizar y concientizar a los trabajadores sobre la importancia de los cuidados de higiene personal y del ambiente de trabajo para la seguridad alimentaria. Palabras-clave: Seguridad Alimentaria; Comunicación Pública; Ciencia; Educación