The influence of botulinum toxin on auditory disturbances in hemifacial spasm

Background and purposeHemifacial spasm (HFS) is frequently accompanied by other symptoms, such as visual and auditory disturbances or pain. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of auditory symptoms accompanying HFS using subjective and objective methods, their relation with other HFS symptoms, and their resolution after botulinum toxin (BTX-A) treatment.Material and methodsThe occurrence of hypoacusis, ear clicks and tinnitus was assessed by questionnaire in 126 HFS patients from an electronic database which included medical data such as severity of HFS rated by clinical scale and magnetic resonance imaging focused on the presence of vascular nerve VII and VIII conflict. Forty consecutive patients treated with BTX-A and 24 controls matched by sex and age underwent laryngological examination including audiometry, tympanometry and acoustic middle ear reflex before injection and two weeks later.ResultsAbout 45.2% of patients complained of auditory disturbances (31.7% hypoacusis, 30.2% ear clicks and 7.1% tinnitus) on the side of HFS. Auditory disturbances correlated with severity of HFS symptoms but not with age, disease duration, or neurovascular conflict with nerves VII and VIII. We did not find abnormalities in audiometric and tympanometric assessment in patients in comparison with controls. No abnormalities were detected in brainstem evoked potentials comparing the sides with and without HFS symptoms. Tinnitus and absence of ipsilateral acoustic middle ear reflex occurred more often in patients with auditory symptoms than those without them. BTX-A treatment caused resolution of subjective acoustic symptoms without any improvement in audiometric assessment.ConclusionsAuditory disturbances accompanying HFS are probably caused by dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, which improves after BTX-A treatment.     

Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm: postoperative neurologic follow-up and evaluation of life quality

Microvascular decompression (MVD) is an effective and safe treatment in hemifacial spasm (HFS). Postoperative evaluations are usually made by neurosurgeons. Follow-up studies performed by neurologists and postoperative quality of life (QoL) investigations are lacking. All 25 HFS patients operated with MVD in our centre between 2000 and 2004 were evaluated with the recently validated HFS-7 scheme, extended with the item 'sleep disturbance due to HFS' (HFS-8). The patients underwent a careful neurological examination median 3 years after the operation. The evaluation focused on clinical aspects, changes in blood pressure and time until observable effect of MVD. The evaluation of HFS-7 questionnaire and the extended form (HFS-8) showed significant improvement in QoL after MVD. Neurological outcome was in almost all cases excellent or good. Eleven (44%) patients had no neurological deficits at all. Only one patient had serious complications with ipsilateral facial palsy, deafness, balance problems and vertigo. The other patients had minor neurological findings or symptoms. Eighteen (72%) patients experienced early effect within 3 months after MVD; seven (28%) patients had late effect between 6 and 14 months. Median age of the patients with late effect (62.6 years) was significantly higher than in those with early effect (52.7 years).     

Hemifacial spasm non-motor and motor-related symptoms and their response to botulinum toxin therapy

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a chronic movement disorder which presents as clonic and/or tonic facial muscle contractions frequently accompanied by many other sensory (visual or auditory disturbances, pain), motor (facial weakness, trismus, bruxism, dysarthria) and/or autonomic (lacrimation, salivation) symptoms. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of HFS non-motor and motor-related symptoms and their responsiveness to botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) therapy. 56 HFS patients were included in the open-label design study. Patients were examined three times: before BTX-A injection, and 2 and 12 weeks later. The occurrence of non-motor and motor-related symptoms was assessed by a special questionnaire, and the severity of HFS was rated by the Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale (CGI-S) and depression symptoms by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Over 81% of the patients before BTX-A therapy reported HFS non-motor and motor-related symptoms. Almost 50% of the patients reported more than three symptoms. The most frequent symptoms were: tearing (44.5%), eye irritation (39.3%), facial paraesthesia (26.8%) and hearing of a “clicking” sound (25.0%). 2 weeks after BTX-A injection 75% of the patients did not report any symptoms and 20% reported only one or two. 3 months later the number of symptoms had increased again, with 57% of patients reporting at least one. The number of HFS non-motor and other symptoms did not correlate with the patients’ age, disease duration and the presence of neuro-vascular conflict, but were positively correlated with the CGI-S and BDI scores. This study showed that muscle contractions in HFS patients are commonly accompanied by non-motor and other motor-related symptoms and most of them are reduced following BTX-A treatment.     

Treatment outcome correlates with knowledge of disease in hemifacial spasm

OBJECTIVES: Hemifacial spasm (HFS), a potentially disabling facial condition affects quality of life (QOL) and botulinum toxin is an effective treatment. No studies have examined whether a better level of knowledge of the disease would lead to an improved quality of life and treatment response in HFS. We examined the relationship between knowledge of disease with improvement in QOL following botulinum toxin treatment in HFS patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 106 HFS patients (mean age of 56.8+/-9.9 years) were prospectively included. A baseline knowledge questionnaire and a validated disease-specific quality of life scale (HFS-7) were administered before and after botulinum toxin treatment. RESULTS: A better educational level was an independent predictor of high knowledge of HFS (p=0.02). Multivariate analysis using improvement in HFS-7 (total and subscore) as outcomes, and adjusting for age, gender, education, severity and duration of HFS, showed that high knowledge was predictive of a bigger improvement in HFS-7 total (p=0.03) and HFS-7 subscore (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: HFS patients with high knowledge of disease reported better improvement in QOL following botulinum toxin treatment. Better educational efforts will augment current medical and surgical treatments in improving QOL in HFS. Our findings could potentially be extended to many other medical conditions.     

Validation of a short disease specific quality of life scale for hemifacial spasm: correlation with SF-36

BACKGROUND: A short, practical, and validated quality of life (QoL) scale for hemifacial spasm (HFS) is not currently available. OBJECTIVES: To examine the reliability and validity of a short self-rating scale (HFS-7) by comparing HFS patients with healthy controls. We also evaluated the correlation of HFS-7 with the physical and mental domains of SF-36, a generic QoL scale. METHODS: Seven self-rating items (HFS-7) were administered to HFS patients and healthy controls. In addition, HFS patients answered the SF-36 questionnaire. The validity and reliability of HFS-7 were analysed and correlation between HFS-7 and SF-36 examined. RESULTS: A total of 178 subjects were enrolled in the study, including 85 HFS patients with mean age of 54.8 (SD 11.0) years, of whom 52 (61.2%) were women, and 93 controls with mean age of 51.4 (SD 10.0) years, of whom 59 (63.4%) were women. The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient for the seven items was between 0.75 and 0.90 and Cronbach's coefficient of reliability for the HFS-7 scale was 0.88. Every item in HFS-7 discriminated between disease and controls (p<0.0001). The HFS-7 summary index correlated with the SF-36 summary score (Spearman's correlation r = -0.28, p = 0.009), in particular the mental health summary score (r = -0.416, p<0.0001) and the emotional domain (r = -0.466, p<0.00001). CONCLUSION: HFS-7 could prove useful as a simple clinical tool to assess and monitor QoL measures in HFS patients.     

Botulinum toxin improves quality of life in hemifacial spasm: validation of a questionnaire (HFS-30)

BACKGROUND: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) can be disabling and affect quality of life. There is a lack of a validated scale for evaluating botulinum toxin (BTX) response in HFS. OBJECTIVE: We examined the validity and reliability of a self-rating health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire (HFS-30) in HFS and investigated the correlation of this questionnaire with the neurologists' assessment of severity of HFS and response to botulinum toxin (BTX) treatment. METHODS: HFS patients were asked to answer a total of 30 self-rating questions divided into seven subscales: Mobility; Activities of Daily Living (ADL); Emotional Well-being; Stigma; Social support; Cognition; and Communication. All of the items were scored on a 5-point scales ranging from 0 ("never") to 4 ("always"). They were also asked to assess their response to the BTX treatment based on a similar questionnaire at 6-8 weeks after BTX. The validity, reliability and sensitivity of the questionnaire were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: There were 80 HFS patients with mean age of 56.3+/-11.1 (S.D.) years (range 35 to 81), consisting of 54 (67.5%) females, 26 (32.5%) males. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha were more than 0.7 for the majority of the items and subscales, respectively. There was a good positive correlation of severity of HFS with the subscale scores. Regression analysis of physicians' assessment of response to BTX on change in scores from baseline as rated by patients demonstrated a significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated validity, reliability and sensitivity of the HFS-30 questionnaire. BTX improves quality of life in HFS.     

Behind the facial twitch: depressive symptoms in hemifacial spasm

BACKGROUND: Depression impairs psychosocial and occupational functioning and contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. Hemifacial spasm (HFS) causes social embarrassment and visual and verbal disability. OBJECTIVE: We examined; (1) the prevalence and predictive factors of depressive symptoms (Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) and clinical assessment) in HFS and (2) the sensitivity and specificity of BDI as a screening and diagnostic tool in HFS. METHODS: A large cohort of HFS patients in a movement disorders clinic was clinically evaluated and the BDI self-administered by patients. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were undertaken to investigate the effect of age, gender, body-mass index, duration and severity of HFS on the outcome of BDI score. ROC (receiver operating characteristics) analysis was utilized to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity and discriminative property of the scale. RESULTS: There were 90 HFS patients with a mean age of 54.4+11.1 (35-79) years, comprising of 58.9% women and with a mean severity HFS score of 2.9+0.8 (range 1-4). The mean BDI score was higher in depressed HFS than in non-depressed HFS (19.7+6.7 vs 4.2+4.9, p<0.0001). Female gender and a younger age were risk factors (p=0.07). In the multivariate analysis, the severity of HFS was an independent predictor of BDI scores (p<0.0001). The AUC was 97.1% suggesting excellent discriminative property of BDI. For cut-off score of 12/13, the sensitivity was 93.3%, specificity 94.7%, Positive Predictive Value 77.8% and Negative Predictive Value 98.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depressive disorder in HFS was 16.7%, with younger women at greater risk. The severity of HFS was positively correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms. The BDI can be a complimentary screening and/or diagnostic instrument for depressive disorder in HFS. Early diagnosis of at-risk patients will prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality.     

α and θ oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus are potential biomarkers for Parkinson's disease with depressive symptoms

IntroductionAbnormal α oscillations in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis and subgenual cingulate of patients with depression correlate with symptom severity. Some Parkinson's disease (PD) patients also have abnormal θ-α oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, the relationship between abnormal θ-α oscillations and depressive symptoms in PD patients has not been determined. This study explored the correlation between α and θ oscillations of the STN and depressive symptoms in PD patients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective case-control study on 36 PD patients with (dPD group) or without depressive symptoms (nPD group), analyzing the difference in the average power spectral density (PSD) of α and θ oscillations of the local field potential (LFP) recorded in the STN during deep brain stimulation (DBS), and their correlation with the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) of PD patients during the same period.ResultsThe dPD group had a higher PSD of α oscillations and a lower PSD of θ oscillations in the left ventral STN. The PSD of α oscillations of the left ventral STN were positively correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms, whereas the PSD of θ oscillations of this location was negatively correlated with severity of depressive symptoms. The PSD of α and θ oscillations did not correlate with motor symptoms, sleep quality, or quality of life score.ConclusionAbnormal α and θ oscillations of the left ventral STN could be used as biomarkers of PD with depressive symptoms, which might guide STN-DBS treatment.     

Predictable variables for short- and long-term botulinum toxin treatment response in patients with cervical dystonia

We retrospectively evaluated 118 patients with cervical dystonia (CD) treated with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for the following variables: gender, age at evaluation, age at symptom onset, disease duration, presence of head/neck pain and/or tremor, pattern of head deviation, disease progression (spreading of symptoms), etiology (primary vs. secondary), pretreatment with oral medication, and Tsui score. We investigated whether these parameters could predict the clinical outcome in a short- (<30 days) and long-term basis. On short-term treatment, there were no clinically significant differences between BTX-A responsive and non-responsive patients. On long-term treatment, however, intake of oral medication previously to BTX-A injection and higher Tsui scores were predictors of favorable response. These results suggest that the greater CD severity the more likely patients will respond to BTX-A.     

Botulinum toxin treatment of hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm: objective response evaluation.

Twenty seven patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) and sixteen patients with blepharospasm (BS) having mean Jankovic disability rating scale score of 2.56+0.58 SD and 2.81+0.54 SD, respectively, were treated with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections. The total number of injection sessions were ninety one with relief response in 98.91%. The mean improvement in function scale score was 3.78+0.64 SD and 3.29+1.07 SD respectively, in HFS and BS groups. The clinical benefit induced by botulinum toxin lasted for a mean of 4.46+3.11 SD (range 2 to 13) months in HFS group and 2.66+1.37 SD (range 1 to 6) months, in BS groups. Transient ptosis was seen in 4.39% of total ninety one injection sessions. These findings show that local botulinum toxin treatment provides effective, safe and long lasting relief of spasms.     

偏侧面肌痉挛和良性特发性眼睑痉挛的临床与治疗特点

目的 探讨偏侧面肌痉挛(HFS)和良性特发性眼睑痉挛(BEB)的临床特点、治疗现状以及对A型肉毒毒素(BTX-A)治疗的反应.方法 对2013年4~10月在武汉大学人民医院神经内科门诊就诊的HFS患者和BEB患者进行调查,其中HFS患者110例,BEB患者90例.所有的患者均接受了BTX-A局部注射治疗.注射后2周左右复诊,在每周二下午的专病门诊随访,并记录BTX-A的疗效持续时间.结果(1)入组200例患者中,BTX-A治疗起效时间0~30 d(中位数4 d),疗效持续时间2~128周(中位数16周),总有效率96.9%.HFS患者症状明显好转(完全和明显缓解)占99.3%,BEB患者占90.2%.总的来说,BEB患者的疗效持续时间[(13.6±5.5)周]与HFS患者[(20.3±10.2)周]相比较短.HFS患者所用BTX-A剂量[(53.2±15.8)U]较BEB患者[(74.8±20.2)U]少.(2)BTX-A注射(70.9%)、针灸(68.2%)和口服药(65.5%)是HFS患者曾经选择的最多的非手术治疗方法.针灸和口服药大部分效果不好而自行停用.BTX-A注射(88.9%)、口服药(86.7%)和眼轮匝肌切割术(31.1%)是BEB患者曾经选择的最多的治疗方法,但患者均反映手术无效.结论 HFS和BEB是运动障碍门诊最常见的两种疾病,BTX-A治疗HFS和BEB安全、有效,对HFS效果更好,BEB患者需要更频繁的注射,其面部肌张力障碍的治疗更具挑战性.     

Determinants and status of quality of life after long-term botulinum toxin therapy for cervical dystonia

The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL), using the Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), in 70 cervical dystonia (CD) patients after long-term botulinum toxin (BTX) treatment (median 5.5 years), and to identify factors determining reduced HRQoL. We used combined patient-and physician-based measures to assess both CD severity [Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale, (TWSTRS)] and effect of long-term BTX treatment, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and General Health Questionnaire-30 to assess psychological distress. Mean SF-36 domain scores of the CD patients were reduced by <1 SD compared with age- and gender-matched population samples. High TWSTRS total scores and high HAD-depression (HAD-D) scores were the main factors associated with reduced scores in the physical and mental SF-36 domains, respectively. Patients evaluated to have a 'good effect' of long-term BTX treatment ( n  = 47), had significantly lower median TWSTRS total score, and a 3× lower frequency of high HAD-D scores, than those evaluated to an 'unsatisfactory effect' ( n  = 23). In conclusion, most CD patients enjoy a good HRQoL after long-term BTX therapy. Reduced HRQoL was associated with more severe disease and/or depressive symptoms.     

Predictors of depressive symptoms in patients with stroke – a three-month follow-up

Background and purposeDepression is one of the most common post-stroke complications, which could impair rehabilitation outcome and quality of life, and could also increase mortality after stroke. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between demographic, socioeconomic and clinical (stroke risk factors, type of stroke, location of vascular lesion, cognitive functions) factors on the presence and severity of post-stroke depressive symptoms in patients after first ever stroke as well as on their social functioning.Material and methodsA prospective, cohort study with a three-month observation period was performed in seven centres. Severity of depressive symptoms was assessed with the help of a short, 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), 3 months after stroke onset.ResultsOn the basis of GDS (GDS ≤ 5 points or > 5 points) patients were allocated to a group without (n = 160) or with symptoms suggestive of depression (n = 82). The study groups did not differ with respect to age, sex or place of residence. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that independent predictors for the presence of symptoms suggestive of depression at 3 months after stroke were: low level of education, low income, greater severity of stroke, worse functional status, self-reported problems with daily-living activities and need of help in daily living activities. More than 60% of patients with depressive symptoms limited their social contacts. Patients with depressive symptoms were unsatisfied with their relations with life partners and friends.ConclusionsOur study showed a complex aetiology of post-stroke depressive symptoms with an important role of socioeconomic factors. Depressive symptoms after stroke worsen existing health, social and economic problems, and cause social isolation of patients.     

Botulinum toxin improves the quality of life and reduces the intensification of depressive symptoms in patients with blepharospasm

Blepharospasm (BSP) is a focal dystonia that results in hyperactivity of orbicular muscles of eyes. These symptoms often result in decreased quality of life (QoL) and symptoms of depression. Botulinum toxin type A is the current first line therapy. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of botulinum toxin treatment on the QoL and depressive symptoms in patients with BSP. The QoL was evaluated by means of the Short Form 36 questionnaire. The degree of the intensity of depression was evaluated by means of the Montgomery-Äsberg Depression Rating Scale. Botulinum toxin treatment significantly improves the QoL and reduces the intensity of depressive symptoms in all our study patients with BSP.     

Prophylactic treatment of chronic tension-type headache using botulinum toxin type A

Chronic tension-type headache is a common condition, the pathophysiology of which is not well understood. Over-activity of the pericranial muscles is thought to play a role, although sustained muscle contraction is probably a consequence, rather than a cause, of headache. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is useful in many conditions involving excessive muscle contraction and may therefore be effective in relieving the pain associated with this type of headache. To investigate the efficacy of BTX-A in relieving pain associated with chronic tension-type headache, a double-btind, randomised, placebo-controlled study was carried out, in which 37 patients received BTX-A, injected into the temporalis or cervical muscles of the neck. Clinical outcome was measured over a 4-month study period using headache diaries and chronic pain index scores. Patients treated with BTX-A showed an improvement in headache severity over the 4-month study period, with 13 out of 22 patients showing a 25, 50 or >50% improvement in headache score at Month 3 compared with two out of 15 patients in the placebo group. The number of headache-free days increased significantly in the BTX-A-treated patient group, and patients recorded an improvement in quality of life following BTX-A injection. It can be concluded that intramuscular injection of BTX-A is an effective treatment for chronic tension-type headache.     

A comparative trial of botulinum toxin type A and methylprednisolone for the treatment of tension-type headache

Tension-type headache (TH) is a common condition, the pathophysiology of which remains undetermined. Evidence implicates sustained contraction of pericranial muscles to be a major cause. A recent preliminary study demonstrated the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in patients suffering from chronic TH. To further investigate this, we performed a study to compare the efficacy of BTX-A with the steroid methylprednisolone (both administered with the local anesthetic lidocaine), when administered by injection into the tender points of cranial muscles in patients with TH. A significant decrease in the median pain score (assessed using a standard visual analogue scale ) was observed at 60 days post injection of BTX-A compared with the pain score achieved following steroid therapy. All patients treated with BTX-A experienced a gradual decrease in median pain severity scores at 30 days and 60 days post treatment. The beneficial effects of BTX-A therapy continued to improve 60 days following injection, whereas the effects of steroid therapy at this time point began to decline. This study clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of BTX-A for the treatment of TH.     

Effects of botulinum toxin type a on quality of life assessed with the WHOQOL-BREF in hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to compare Quality of life (QoL), depression and anxiety in hemifacial spasm (HFS) and essential blepharospasm (BSP) patients and to analyze the effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A (BtxA) therapy.Materials and methodsSeventy nine consecutive patients with HFS (N = 53, 76% women, mean age 58 years, mean disease duration 98 months) and BSP (N = 26, 62% women, mean age 63 years, mean disease duration 105 months) were included in this study. Quality of Life was measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Measurement Instrument Short Form, Turkish Version (WHOQOL-BREF TR), depression by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and anxiety by the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) before the treatment with BtxA and four weeks after the treatment.ResultsAt baseline, physical health, psychological well-being, and satisfaction with the environment domain scores of WHOQOL-BREF TR, HDRS and HAS scores were not significantly different in two patient groups. Social relationship domain score was found significantly higher in HFS group compared with BLS group. BtxA therapy resulted in a significant improvement of clinical symptom severity, of all domain scores of WHOQOL-BREF TR and of depression and anxiety scores in both HFS and BSP groups.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates significant benefit of Botulinum toxin therapy on quality of life, depression and anxiety in patients with BSP and HFS.     

肉毒毒素治疗偏侧面肌痉挛伴耳部症状的临床和电生理研究

目的 探讨偏侧面肌痉挛(HFS)伴耳部症状患者耳后肌受累以及A型肉毒毒素耳后肌注射的作用.方法 2009年7月至2010年1月就诊我科临床诊断为特发性HFS,同时伴有耳鸣或杂音、耳中"滴答声"或弹响、耳部不适等耳部症状的63例患者,其中33例于额肌、眼轮匝肌、颧肌及颊肌等常规位点注射(常规组),30例除常规位点外另予以耳后肌注射(耳后组).注射前后记录口轮匝肌和耳后肌的异常肌反应(AMR)、测量峰-峰波幅值;注射后至少4周,平均(29.5±2.5)d时随访.结果 (1)注射后两组患者均有耳部症状缓解,耳后组[76.7％(23/30)]的缓解率比常规组[45.5％(15/33)]更高(x2=6.40,P=0.011).(2)注射后痉挛侧AMR波幅均显著降低.注射前后常规组口轮匝肌波幅(μV)分别为304.0±30.3、129.3±9.6(t=5.820,P=0.000),耳后肌波幅(μV)分别为298.0±33.3、184.7±20.2(t=2.818,P=0.014);注射前后耳后组口轮匝肌波幅(μV)分别为405.3±66.7、116.0±10.0(t=4.214,P=0.001),耳后肌波幅(μV)分别为390.0±53.6、72.0±9.7(t=6.011,P=0.000).(3)在耳后组,注射后耳后肌AMR波幅降低比常规组更明显(t=4.237,P=0.001).结论 在HFS伴耳部症状患者中电生理检测有助于指导治疗;除常规位点外,耳后肌注射可更好地改善患者的耳部症状.     

Outcomes of community-based social service interventions in homebound elders

OBJECTIVE: To document within-client change in function and quality of life over 6 months, and determine whether social service interventions, comorbidity, depressive symptoms, social support and stress are predictors of within-patient change. METHOD: Assess homebound elderly referred for social services on depressive symptoms measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), comorbidity with the Charlson Index, and stress and support with the Duke instrument. Function was measured by the Functional Autonomy Scale (FAS), measuring Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Independent Activities of Daily Living (IADL), mobility, communication and mental function. The SF-36 measured quality of life. RESULTS: Among 56 new homebound clients with an average age of 82, 33% had depressive symptoms at baseline (>7 on the GDS). At baseline clients were at or below 25th percentile for five of eight domains of the SF-36, and mental and physical summary scores. Further at baseline, 90% had difficulties with mobility and IADLs; 61% had ADL limitations. At 6-month follow-up overall, 26% had depressive symptoms at follow-up. Greater comorbidity was associated with more depressive symptoms at both baseline and follow-up. By 6 months, 18% had deteriorated on the FAS, while 11% improved. More clients had changes in quality of life; regarding the physical component score, 13% had important deterioration, while 63% improved. Similarly, 33% declined on the mental component while 27% improved. CONCLUSION: Among newly homebound elders, those with significant depressive symptoms are more likely to experience deterioration in function and quality of life over 6 months. However, those with more support showed significant improvement in the SF-36 mental component scale at 6 months.     

A randomized,double-masked,crossover comparison of the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A produced from the original bulk toxin source and current bulk toxin source for the treatment of cervical dystonia

In 1997, the US FDA approved a new bulk toxin source (now referred to as current) for the manufacture of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A). The current BTX-A preparation has a lower neurotoxin complex protein load than the original BTX-A preparation, which may reduce antigenic potential. The present double-masked, multicenter study compared the efficacy and safety of BTX-A (BOTOX) produced from both original and current bulk toxin sources for the treatment of cervical dystonia. Patients (N = 133) were injected with BTX-A produced from original and current bulk toxin sources using a crossover design. Adverse events were assessed at each visit. Efficacy was assessed at 2 and 6 weeks post-injection using the severity and pain-disability subscales of the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS). Mean BTX-A doses were comparable (original: 155 U, current: 156 U). Both BTX-A preparations produced similar, statistically significant reductions in TWSTRS severity and pain-disability scores at weeks 2 and 6 post-injection. The original and current BTX-A preparations showed no significant differences in adverse events, including both treatment-related (34%, 31%) and treatment-unrelated (27%, 32%), respectively. BTX-A produced from the original and current bulk toxin sources showed comparable efficacy and safety in the treatment of cervical dystonia; both significantly reduced dystonia severity and pain.