Comparison of long-lasting therapeutic effects between succimer and penicillamine on hepatolenticular degeneration

Table 1 Characteristics of patients of group A and group B

Characteristics	Group A (n = 60)	Group B (n = 60)
Mean age (yr)	20 ± 4.0	18 ± 5.0
Males/Females	34/26	31/29
Mean course of illness (yr)	2.5 ± 2.0	3.0 ± 1.0
Length of treatment
6 mon to 2 yrs	40	38
> 2 yrs	20	22
Clinical classification
Wilson type	24	26
Pesudosclerosis type	16	15
Hepatic type	10	9
Modified Goldstein Scale
Grade I	15	18
Grade II	29	27
Grade III	10	11
Grade IV	6	4

Table 2 Comparison of long-term curative effect of Suc and Pen

Group	Length of treatment	n	Markedly effective cases (%)	Improved cases (%)	Ineffective cases (%)	Total effective cases (%)
A	6 mon to 2 yrs	40	10 (25)	22 (55)	8 (20)	32 (80)a
	> 2 yrs	20	7 (35)	10 (50)	3 (15)	17 (85)a
B	6 mon to 2 yrs	38	5 (15)	17 (45)	16 (42)	22 (58)
	> 2yrs	22	3 (14)	10 (45)	9 (41)	13 (59)

^aP < 0.05, compared with group B.

Table 3 Urinary trace and macro-elements changes after Suc and Pen therapy (x^-±s)

Group	Time	n	Copper (μmol/L)	Zinc (μmol/L)	Calcium (mmol/L)
A	Before treatment	60	4.4 ± 2.9	4.3 ± 2.5	1.3 ± 0.4
	After treatment	60	19 ± 6.0b	21 ± 7.3b	1.8 ± 0.6
B	Before treatment	60	4.1 ± 2.6	4.7 ± 2.5	1.3 ± 0.4
	After treatment	60	20 ± 6.0b	20 ± 6.9b	1.8 ± 0.5

^bP < 0.01, compared with pre-treatment.