Adherence to riluzole in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an observational study

Figures & data

Table 1 Clinical features of patients who received tablet and OS of riluzole

Clinical features	Tablet of riluzole (n=27)	OS of riluzole (n=18)	p-value
Sex (M/F)	17/10	10/8	ns
Age at onset	61.84±9.97	66.80±9.39	ns
Spinal/bulbar at onset	23/4	4/14	0.00002*
Dysphagia at diagnosis	11 (40.7%)	16 (88.9%)	0.001**
Disease duration from symptom onset to interview	49.9±96.48	29.4±14.1	ns
OTI (months)	13.99±9.03	19.47±13.27	ns
Duration of therapy at interview (months)	14.57±22.38	9.1±7.05	ns
Follow-up period (months)	3.7±0.98	4.3±1.2	ns
Time to interview from therapy initiation (months)	19.57±26.28	10.87±7.3	ns
MMT-m at interview	7.8±1.13	8.82±1.35	0.0009^
ALSFRS-r at interview	31.74±7.57	34.17±7.27	ns
TTG (months)	14.36±13.78	10.79±10.53	ns
Progression rate at interview	0.71±0.56	0.59±0.60	ns

Notes:

* χ²=17.8;

** χ²=10.4;

^ Kruskal–Wallis H=10.9.

Abbreviations: ALSFRS-r, ALS Functional Rating Scale – revised; MMT-m, Manual Muscle Testing – medium; ns, not significant; OS, oral suspension; OTI, symptom onset to therapy start interval; TTG, time to generalization.

Figure 1 Qualitative opinion about organoleptic characteristics of OS of riluzole.

Abbreviation: OS, oral suspension.

Figure 2 Percentages of SEs for apparatus in the riluzole tablet and OS groups.

Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; OS, oral suspension; SE, side effect.

Table 2 Detailed list of SEs reported by patients (%)

	Tablet of riluzole (n=27) (%)	OS of riluzole (n=18) (%)
Gastrointestinal apparatus
Burning mouth syndrome	0	1 (5.6)
Hypersalivation	1 (3.7)	1 (5.6)
Dyspepsia	1 (3.7)	1 (5.6)
Nausea	2 (7.4)	2 (11.1)
Diarrhea	1 (3.7)	0
Abdominal pain	3 (11.1)	1 (5.6)
Dysgeusia	6 (22.2)	6 (33.3)
Nervous system
Headache	1 (3.7)	1 (5.6)
Drowsiness	1 (3.7)	1 (5.6)
Asthenia	2 (7.4)	1 (5.6)
Dizziness	1 (3.7)	0
Limb paresthesia	1 (3.7)	0
Oral paresthesia	0	7 (38.9)
Cramps	1 (3.7)	0
AST/ALT increase (≥2 ULN)	2 (7.4)	1 (5.6)
Respiratory system
Dyspnea	1 (3.7)	0
Skin
Rash	0	1 (5.6)
Cardiovascular apparatus
Arrhythmia	0	1 (5.6)

Abbreviations: ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; OS, oral suspension; SE, side effect; ULN, upper limit of normal.

Figure S1 Questionnaire on clinical and pharmacological features related to ALS and comorbidities.

Abbreviations: ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; ALSFRS-r, ALS Functional Rating Scale – revised; MMT-m, Manual Muscle Testing – medium; NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.