title: Complex dosing schedules for continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to understand the clinical reasons for changes from simple continuous to complex (flex) dosing for tone reduction in individuals receiving intrathecal baclofen. Methodology was a retrospective chart review study of 164 individuals (95 male, 69 female) at a multi-specialty children's hospital who were followed for at least 1 year for intrathecal baclofen management. Eighty-two persons were in the simple continuous only group and 82 also were on complex schedules at least once during the follow-up period. Mean age at most recent follow-up was 18 years and 0 months (median, 15 years and 8 months; standard deviation, 8 years and 0 months; range, 6-45). The top three clinical reasons for switching dosing method were to (1) optimize intrathecal baclofen effect, (2) treat predictable daily tone variation, and (3) manage signs and symptoms of intrathecal baclofen withdrawal or underdelivery. In both groups, 90% of individuals had cerebral palsy, and mean baseline leg Ashworth scores were the same in both groups (mean, 3.7; standard deviation, 0.7). Mean total daily dose at chart review was higher in complex dosing (429.3 vs 211.9 microg/day), as was mean follow-up time (4.8 vs 3.9 years). Case examples are presented.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101, USA. lkrach@gillettechildrens.com
authors.forename: Linda E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Krach
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Kriel
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nugent
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001418:Baclofen