Yapay Zeka Hızlı Bakış & Çıkarımlar
AI InsightThese findings suggest that clearer and standardized patient/caregiver education, together with regular follow- up systems, may support treatment continuity in BoNT-A therapy.
📌 3 Maddede Bu Makale
Özet
Objective This study aimed to evaluate botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) treatment continuity in patients with post-stroke spasticity, to identify patient- or caregiver- reported reasons for treatment discontinuation or irregular continuation, and to examine the associations between available demographic/clinical variables and the number of injections. Material and Methods In this retrospective cohort study, medical records of patients who received at least one botulinum toxin injection for post-stroke spasticity between 2012 and 2024 were reviewed. A total of 81 patients included in the final analysis responded to questions regarding reasons for not maintaining regular BoNT-A treatment. Results A total of 157 injections were administered over the 12-year study period. The mean number of injections was 1.9 (range: 1–7), and the mean interval between consecutive injections was 13.3 months. Forty-seven patients (58%) received only one injection session. Reasons for treatment discontinuation or irregular continuation were analyzed among 74 patients after excluding 7 patients who continued treatment at another center. The most frequently reported reason was lack of awareness regarding the need for repeated BoNT-A injections (54.1%). Other reasons included perceived lack of benefit from the injection (24.3%), reduction in spasticity (10.8%), comorbidities or other health problems limiting follow-up (6.8%), fear of injections (4.1%), inability to take time off work (1.4%), and misconception regarding reimbursement coverage (1.4%). Conclusion BoNT-A treatment continuity was low among patients with post-stroke spasticity. The most frequently reported reason for treatment discontinuation or irregular continuation was patient- or caregiver-reported lack of awareness regarding the need for repeated treatment. These findings suggest that clearer and standardized patient/caregiver education, together with regular follow- up systems, may support treatment continuity in BoNT-A therapy.
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to evaluate botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) treatment continuity in patients with post-stroke spasticity, to identify patient- or caregiver- reported reasons for treatment discontinuation or irregular continuation, and to examine the associations between available demographic/clinical variables and the number of injections. Material and Methods In this retrospective cohort study, medical records of patients who received at least one botulinum toxin injection for post-stroke spasticity between 2012 and 2024 were reviewed. A total of 81 patients included in the final analysis responded to questions regarding reasons for not maintaining regular BoNT-A treatment. Results A total of 157 injections were administered over the 12-year study period. The mean number of injections was 1.9 (range: 1–7), and the mean interval between consecutive injections was 13.3 months. Forty-seven patients (58%) received only one injection session. Reasons for treatment discontinuation or irregular continuation were analyzed among 74 patients after excluding 7 patients who continued treatment at another center. The most frequently reported reason was lack of awareness regarding the need for repeated BoNT-A injections (54.1%). Other reasons included perceived lack of benefit from the injection (24.3%), reduction in spasticity (10.8%), comorbidities or other health problems limiting follow-up (6.8%), fear of injections (4.1%), inability to take time off work (1.4%), and misconception regarding reimbursement coverage (1.4%). Conclusion BoNT-A treatment continuity was low among patients with post-stroke spasticity. The most frequently reported reason for treatment discontinuation or irregular continuation was patient- or caregiver-reported lack of awareness regarding the need for repeated treatment. These findings suggest that clearer and standardized patient/caregiver education, together with regular follow- up systems, may support treatment continuity in BoNT-A therapy.