How can physicians and their patients with ALS decide to use the newly-available treatments to slow disease progression?
The 1990s decade has seen the testing of treatments to slow disease progression in patients with ALS. Two such treatments (riluzole and myotrophin) have shown minimal or modest efficacy. Of these, riluzole has been approved for marketing in the United States, in Europe and in other countries. Patients and physicians who are trying to decide whether to use these treatments require background information: (a) to place these treatments in the context of other treatments; (b) to understand the outcome measures used; and (c) to understand the significance of the efficacy these treatments have shown. For example, in some cases treatment efficacy has been shown by some measures, but not others. This paper attempts to assist in this process. In addition, we attempt to show how to integrate objective data with relative or subjective factors, such as patient values, economic considerations, and the role of hope.
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000588:Amines; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D018450:Disease Progression; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D019782:Riluzole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C065700:myotrophin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D019782:Riluzole