Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is one of the neurodegenerative disorders with very limited treatment options owing to its progressive course and diverse pathophysiology. Majority of patients succumb to death within three to five years after the onset of symptoms, mostly due to respiratory failure. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of ultra-high dose methylcobalamin versus placebo among patients with early-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in terms of slowing down functional decline. Methods: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception up to September 23, 2023. The impact of treatments was measured by risk ratios with 95% confidence interval. The overall certainty of the evidence was evaluated using GRADE. Results: No significant difference was detected for the outcome median change in the ALSFRS-R score for the whole cohort. Post-hoc analyses showed that ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin decreased ALSFRS-R scores (p=0.003 for 50 mg and p=0.01 for all methylcobalamin groups) in a dose-responsive manner. Mean difference was 1.97 in favor of methylcobalamin (95% CI, 0.44- 3.50; P = .01). Conclusion Ultra-high dose methylcobalamin can reduce ALSFRS-R scores of patients in its early stage but the scarcity of clinical trials makes it difficult to support a robust conclusion. Ultra-high dose methylcobalamin therapy remains to be investigational.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

This is the first study conducted to determine the predictors of outpatient based rehabilitation cost in the local setting. This aimed to determine whether demographic and clinical characteristics of post-stroke patients are predictors of direct medical costs for outpatient-based rehabilitation.

A retrospective single-arm cohort study was utilized to determine the predictors of direct medical cost for out patient based post-stroke rehabilitation seen at the rehabilitation department of a tertiary hospital from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023.

A significant association was found between direct cost and smoking. Additionally, an association between direct cost and hypertension was evident. No significant associations were identified between direct rehabilitation cost and other factors such as age, sex, mRS score, type of stroke, intervention, and other co-morbidities, aside from hypertension and smoking.

Smoking and hypertension are predictors of direct medical cost for outpatient-based post stroke rehabilitation. These factors necessitate more intensive therapy and longer rehabilitation periods as compared to other factors which did not have significant associations with cost.