Journal Article

DZNE-2026-00126

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png The Medication Patterns of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 Mutation Carriers Enrolled in the ESMI Cohort.

Silva, P. ; Costa, M. A. ; Gaspar, L. ; Durães, J. ; Cunha, I. ; Ribeiro, J. A. ; Januário, C. ; Oliveiros, B. ; Hübener-Schmid, J. ; Faber, J.DZNE* ; Raposo, M. ; Lima, M. ; Garcia-Moreno, H. ; Giunti, P. ; Beichert, L. ; Schöls, L.DZNE* ; van de Warrenburg, B. P. ; de Vries, J. ; Thieme, A. ; Reetz, K. ; Jacobi, H. ; Infante, J. ; Klockgether, T.DZNE* ; Group, E. S. (Collaboration Author) ; de Almeida, L. P. ; Santana, M. M. ; Ferreira, A. (Contributor) ; Rosa, A. (Contributor) ; Gonzalez, C. (Contributor) ; Gonzalez-Robles, C. (Contributor) ; Timmann, D. (Contributor) ; Erdlenbruch, F. (Contributor) ; Lemos, J. (Contributor) ; Vasconcelos, J. (Contributor) ; Teves, L. (Contributor) ; Pires, P. (Contributor) ; Lopes, P. (Contributor) ; Coelho, P. (Contributor) ; Kay, T. (Contributor)

2026
Springer Berlin [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1007/s40263-025-01237-w

Abstract: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is one of the most common dominantly inherited ataxias worldwide. Despite research advances, no approved disease-modifying treatment exists, and management focuses on symptom alleviation and functional capacity maximization. Symptomatic treatment guidelines are scarce, leaving decisions to physicians' discretion. The lack of studies on SCA3 symptom management hinders therapy standardization. The aim of this study was to investigate medication-usage patterns among SCA3 mutation carriers and controls included in the multicentric European Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type-3/Machado-Joseph Disease Initiative (ESMI) cohort.We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the medication taken by ESMI participants enrolled in the study between 2016 and 2023. Medication being used at the most recent follow-up visit available was categorized according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical system. Comparisons between groups were performed using nonparametric tests for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. In addition, a retrospective longitudinal analysis was conducted to study the impact of medication subclasses on disease progression, using linear mixed-effects models adjusted for relevant covariates.A total of 474 participants were included, comprising 344 SCA3 mutation carriers and 130 controls. Compared with controls, SCA3 subjects took more vitamins, mineral supplements, muscle relaxants, and medications targeting the nervous system. Psychoanaleptics and vitamins were introduced early in the disease course, whereas most other subclasses were initiated in mid-to-late stages, coinciding with the onset of neurological symptoms. Substantial disparities in medication usage were observed across the study centers. None of the medication subclasses commonly used by patients with SCA3 showed a significant impact on disease progression.This is the first study to explore medication usage patterns in SCA3 mutation carriers. Our study provides a comprehensive overview of the medications administered in SCA3 and underscores the importance of collaborative efforts toward achieving standardized clinical practices in the management of this disease.

Keyword(s): Humans (MeSH) ; Machado-Joseph Disease: drug therapy (MeSH) ; Machado-Joseph Disease: genetics (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Cross-Sectional Studies (MeSH) ; Retrospective Studies (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Mutation (MeSH) ; Adult (MeSH) ; Cohort Studies (MeSH) ; Disease Progression (MeSH) ; Heterozygote (MeSH) ; Longitudinal Studies (MeSH) ; Aged (MeSH) ; Ataxin-3: genetics (MeSH) ; Europe (MeSH) ; Ataxin-3

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Clinical Research Coordination (Clinical Research (Bonn))
2. Clinical Neurogenetics (AG Schöls)
3. Patient Studies (Bonn) (Patient Studies (Bonn))

Research Program(s):

1. 353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353) (POF4-353)

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; BIOSIS Reviews Reports And Meetings ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Springer ; DEAL Springer ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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