Botulinum toxin improves sialorrhea and quality of living in bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Sialorrhea is frequently a socially disabling symptom in patients with bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this open-label prospective study, we report the effect of botulinum toxin A (Botox) injection into the parotid glands in 10 patients with bulbar ALS and socially disabling sialorrhea. We applied three different outcome measures to determine the effect of Botox therapy on sialorrhea. Botox significantly improved the degree of sialorrhea and a drooling impact score and, by inference, the quality of living, in over half of the patients with bulbar ALS and severe sialorrhea. The beneficial effect of Botox lasted for at least 2 months in those who responded. No major adverse effects were noted. Local injection of a small dose of Botox into the parotid glands can control sialorrhea and potentially improve living quality in some patients with bulbar ALS.
Department of Neurology, Kessenich Family MDA-ALS Center, 1150 NW 14th Street, Suite 701, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. averma@med.miami.edu
Ashok
A
Verma
Julie
J
Steele
D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D010306:Parotid Gland; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents; D001905:Botulinum Toxins