Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41614514›Full record

ArticleEuropean stroke journal2026

Botulinum toxin A for post-stroke spasticity: Insights from the French National Hospital Discharge Database (2015-2023).

Djamel Bensmail, Anne Forestier, Jean-Yves Loze, Pierre Karam

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European stroke journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Djamel BensmailDepartment of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Raymond-Poincaré Teaching Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris-Saclay, Garches, France.ORCID 0000-0001-9360-9330
Anne ForestierIpsen, Boulogne-Billancourt, Île-de-France, France.
Jean-Yves LozeIpsen, Boulogne-Billancourt, Île-de-France, France.
Pierre KaramPKCS, Ecully, France.

Funding

Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBotulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) is a well-established treatment for post-stroke spasticity. However, its real-world use remains underexplored. This study evaluated BoNT-A use trends among stroke survivors in France from 2015 to 2023.

methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the French National Hospital Discharge Database. We analyzed stroke hospitalizations and BoNT-A treatment rates by age and care pathway. Among patients presenting with stroke between 2017 and 2019 who survived beyond 6 months post-stroke, we estimated the prevalence of patients with coded post-stroke spasticity, BoNT-A use, and time from stroke onset to spasticity coding and the first BoNT-A injection.

resultsBetween 2015 and 2023, 1,170,436 hospitalizations for stroke were recorded in France. BoNT-A treatment rates remained low, ranging from 1.4% in 2015 to 1.9% in 2022. BoNT-A treatment rates increased from 3.3% to 3.8% in stroke survivors aged 20-29 and from 1.0% to 1.6% in those aged 70-79 between 2015 and 2022. Patients who, during their care pathway, stayed in a neurovascular or neurorehabilitation unit were more likely to receive BoNT-A treatment-rising from 2.0% in 2015 to 2.6% in 2022 and 7.3% to 9.6%, respectively-than those managed in non-specialized units, where rates increased from 0.9% in 2015 to 1.1% in 2022. Among 287,370 patients presenting with stroke between 2017 and 2019, 37,692 (13.1%) were coded with post-stroke spasticity, 8056 (2.8%) received ⩾1 BoNT-A injection between 2017 and 2023, 4360 (1.5%) received ⩾3 injections, and 1003 (0.35%) received ⩾3 injections spaced ⩽6 months apart. The median time from stroke onset to spasticity coding was 96 days, and to the first BoNT-A injection 258 days.

conclusionBoNT-A remains underutilized in the treatment of post-stroke spasticity in France. These results emphasize the need to enhance access to and adherence to BoNT-A therapy to optimize post-stroke spasticity management.

Indexed as

Botulinum Toxins, Type AMuscle SpasticityNeuromuscular AgentsStrokeAdultAgedAged, 80 and overDatabases, FactualFemaleFranceHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient DischargeRetrospective StudiesYoung AdultBotulinum Toxins, Type ANeuromuscular AgentsBotulinum toxincare pathwayFrancespasticitystroke

Identifiers

PMID41614514
PMCPMC12866233

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.