Long-term intrathecal baclofen therapy in ambulatory patients with spasticity.
BACKGROUND
Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is an effective treatment for severe spasticity. In ambulatory patients with spasticity, it is possible that ITB treatment may compromise ambulatory function by unmasking underlying muscle weakness. This retrospective study is designed to determine the long-term ambulatory function in patients receiving ITB.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients with severe spasticity previously screened for response to ITB were implanted with programmable pumps that allowed for continuous infusion of ITB. Patients were followed after implantation from 1 to 13 years.


RESULTS
All 36 patients had decreased spasticity and retained ambulatory function. Three of the 36 patients eventually became paraplegic related to underlying disease progression.


CONCLUSIONS
ITB therapy may be used in selected ambulatory patients with spasticity and is not associated with loss of ambulatory function.
Sadiq
Saud A
SA
MS Research and Treatment Center of New York, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 425 West 59th Street, Suite 7C, New York, NY 10019, USA. ssadiq7@yahoo.com
Wang
Gary C
GC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001418:Baclofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007278:Injections, Spinal / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen