Botulinum toxin type-B improves sialorrhea and quality of life in bulbaronset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Sialorrhea is a disabling problem in bulbaronset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Botulinum toxin (BTX) type A and B have been proposed as alternatives to traditional treatments.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BTX type B in the treatment of sialorrhea in patients with bulbar-onset ALS.


METHODS
Open-label prospective study of BTX type B injections in parotids (1000 U) and submandibular (250 U) glands using anatomic landmarks. Primary outcome was rate of responders (improvement > 50% on visual analogue scales (VAS) of severity and disability of sialorrhea) 1 month post-treatment. Other outcomes included subjective (drooling and quality of daily living questionnaires) and objective (cotton roll weights and number of paper handkerchiefs used) evaluations. Safety evaluations included questionnaires regarding brain stem symptoms.


RESULTS
Sixteen ALS patients were included. At 1 month the rate of responders was 75% with a mean reduction of 70% in severity and disabling VASs. Fifteen patients (94 %) reported some benefit with drooling reduction. In objective measurements there was a reduction over 60 % in saliva production and in the number of handkerchiefs used. Onset of effect occurred within 3 days. Most patients reported better quality of living. The most frequent side-effects were viscous saliva, local pain, chewing weakness and respiratory infection. There were no changes in blood pressure or cardiac rate. At 3 months, there was still a positive effect in all outcomes. All patients except one manifested their willingness to repeat treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Anatomic guided BTX type B injections seem effective and safe to treat sialorrhea in bulbar-onset ALS.
Costa
João
J
Serviço de Neurologia (Piso 7), Hospital de Santa Maria, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-035 Lisboa. joaoncosta@sapo.pt
Rocha
Maria Luz
ML
Ferreira
Joaquim
J
Evangelista
Teresinha
T
Coelho
Miguel
M
de Carvalho
Mamede
M
D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D010276:Parasympatholytics; C096323:rimabotulinumtoxinB; D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A