Intrathecal baclofen therapy for spasticity: A compliance-based study to indicate effectiveness.
BACKGROUND
Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy using a programmable battery-based pump is a well-recognized option in the treatment of patients with refractory spasticity. Improvements in clinical scale scores for muscle spasticity among this heterogeneous group of patients may not reflect the functional benefits of this therapeutic option. The aim of our study is to report the efficacy of ITB therapy by setting the patient's compliance at the 2-year follow-up after pump implantation as an indicator of treatment efficacy, as appreciated by the patients or their caregivers.


METHODS
A cohort of 31 patients admitted for ITB therapy was studied. Treatment and follow-up expenses were supported by national health services. Compliance to follow-up visits 2 years after implantation was used as an indicator of treatment efficacy.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven patients (mean age: 28.8 ± 19.3 years) were included in the study. At the 2-year post-implantation set point, 20 patients continued to comply with the treatment program. Those 20 patients reported at least moderate improvements in their symptoms, which justified treatment compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
At the 2-year follow-up post-implantation set point, nearly 3 of 4 patients (74.1%) continued to comply with the treatment, indicating treatment efficacy.
Department of Neurosciences, Division of Neurosurgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Hussam
H
Abou Al-Shaar
Department of Neurosciences, Division of Neurosurgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed
A
Alkhani
Baclofen; compliance; intrathecal therapy; neuromodulation; spasticity