The preferences of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on riluzole treatment in Europe

Abstract The Patient Preference Survey aims to understand unmet needs related to riluzole management in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and to identify which characteristics of a new formulation could better match their preferences. The survey involved 117 people with ALS (PALS) trea...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Albert C. Ludolph, Harish Grandjean, Evy Reviers, Valentina De Micheli, Cosetta Bianchi, Leonardo Cardosi, Hermann Russ, Vincenzo Silani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-12-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49424-3
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Summary:Abstract The Patient Preference Survey aims to understand unmet needs related to riluzole management in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and to identify which characteristics of a new formulation could better match their preferences. The survey involved 117 people with ALS (PALS) treated with riluzole in four European countries. The dysphagic PALS were least satisfied with the riluzole tablet and oral suspension and with ease in self-administration; up to 46% of respondents postponed or missed the treatment due to swallowing difficulties and need of caregiver assistance. Overall, 51% of tablet and 50% of oral suspension users regularly crushed or manipulated riluzole, respectively; PALS who always manipulated riluzole showed low satisfaction with the formulation and considered the risk of choking and pneumonia the most worrisome event. The survey evaluated the driving factors in choosing/switching the therapy: 67% of PALS declared a low risk of choking. The research finally evaluated which attributes of a new formulation would be preferred: the most relevant were ease of use (4.3/5), convenient/portable packaging (4.0/5) and oral-dissolving properties without tongue motility (3.9/5). The Patient Preference Survey suggests that patients have several unmet needs and preferences that could be addressed by a different formulation, e.g. using oral film technologies.
ISSN:2045-2322