Demographic characteristics and clinical features of randomised patients at baseline in the two treatment groups
| rhEPO (n=103) | PLACEBO (n=97) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Men | 55 (53.4%) | 50 (51.6%) |
| Women | 48 (46.6%) | 47 (48.5%) |
| Age (years) | ||
| Mean (SD) | 59.4 (9.7) | 58.6 (10.5) |
| Median (range) | 62 (25–73) | 60 (25–75) |
| Onset | ||
| Bulbar | 27 (26.2%) | 25 (25.8%) |
| Spinal | 76 (73.8%) | 72 (74.2%) |
| Disease duration (years) | ||
| Mean (SD) | 1.0 (0.4) | 1.1 (0.3) |
| Median (range) | 1.0 (0.3–1.7) | 1.1 (0.2–1.6) |
| ALSFRS-R | ||
| Mean (SD) | 38.4 (5.8) | 38.3 (5.8) |
| Median (range) | 40 (21–48) | 39 (20–48) |
| sVC | ||
| Mean (SD) | 86.7 (14.5) | 86.2 (16.0) |
| Median (range) | 87 (37–110) | 86 (23–114) |
| ALSAQ40 | ||
| Mean (SD) | 100 (30) | 99 (24) |
| Median (range) | 98 (43–200) | 97 (52–161) |
| Riluzole treatment | ||
| Yes | 100 (97.1%) | 92 (94.9%) |
Svc, slow vital capacity; rhEPO, recombinant human erythropoietin.