European expert consensus on improving patient selection for the management of disabling spasticity with intrathecal baclofen and/or botulinum toxin type A

OBJECTIVE: To develop an algorithm for the selection of adults with disabling spasticity for treatment with intrathecal baclofen (ITB) and/or botulinum toxin type A (BoNT A).

METHODS: A European Advisory Board of 4 neurologists and 4 rehabilitation specialists performed a literature review on ITB and BoNT A treatment for disabling spasticity. An online survey was sent to 125 physicians and 13 non-physician spasticity experts. Information on their current clinical practice and level of agreement on proposed selection criteria was used to inform algorithm design. Consensus was considered reached when ≥ 75% of respondents agreed or were neutral.

RESULTS: A total of 79 experts from 17 countries completed the on-line survey (57%). Agreement was reached that patients with multi-segmental or generalized disabling spasticity re-fractory to oral drugs are the best candidates for ITB (96.1% consensus), while those with focal/segmental disabling spasticity are ideal candidates for BoNT A (98.7% consensus). In addition the following are good candidates for ITB (% consensus): bilateral disabling spasticity affecting lower limbs only (97.4%), bilateral (100%) or unilateral (90.9%) disabling spasticity affecting lower limbs and trunk, and unilateral or bilateral disabling spasticity affecting upper and lower extremities (96.1%).

CONCLUSION: This algorithm will support the management of adult patients with disabling spas-ticity by aiding patient selection for ITB and/or BoNT A treatments.