Botulinum toxin in the treatment of focal hyperhidrosis

INTRODUCTION: Botulinum A toxin (BTX-A) acts primarily at peripheral cholinergic synapses, inhibiting the release of acetylcholine. Initially it has been used to block the neuromuscular junction in focal dystonic and spastic syndromes. Recently there has been suggestions for potential clinical indications in non-muscular diseases where cholinergic terminals play a role. GUSTATORY SWEATING: In 1995 physicians reported a long-lasting anhidrotic effect of intracutaneous BTX-A injections in patients suffering from gustatory sweating (Frey's syndrome). Consequently, a number of clinical studies demonstrated good efficacy of intradermal injections of botulinumtoxin in patients with focal hyperhidrosis. FOCAL HYPERHIDROSIS OF THE PALMS AND AXILLAE: Focal hyperhidrosis is usually confined to the palms and axillae. Excessive sweating may be a social handicap and an occupational hazard. The management of focal hyperhidrosis remains controversial. Topical antiperspirants are only effective in very mild cases. Iontophoresis with tap water or anticholinergic drugs is messy and time consuming with only short-lived effect. Sympathectomy, the cornerstone of surgical management, is usually effective in palmar hyperhidrosis. Complications of this technique include surgical risks, postoperative and cosmetic problems and compensatory hyperhidrosis. AXILLARY HYPERHIDROSIS: Several studies confirmed that intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin are useful in the majority of patients with axillary hyperhidrosis resistant to conventional treatment. In axillary hyperhidrosis total doses are ranging from 200-400 mU Dysport or from 80 to 130 mU Botox to reach a good clinical response. Injections are usually well tolerated and no serious side-effects have been observed. The mean duration of anhidrotic effect ranges between 3 and 9 weeks. PALMAR HYPERHIDROSIS: The use of botulinumtoxin in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis is rather difficult. The therapeutic window is smaller because injections are complicated by transient weakness of the small hand-muscles. Furthermore the injections at the palms are painful which can be overcomed by application of local anaesthetics or the blockade of the ulnar and median nerves. The duration of anhidrotic effect ranges from 20 to 50 weeks. CONCLUSION: Intracutaneous injections of botulinum-toxin should be offered to patients with focal hyperhidrosis of the palms and axillae causing serious social, psychologic and occupational problems, resistant to other conventional treatment options.     

Endoscopic transthoracic limited sympathotomy for palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis: outcomes and complications during a 10-year period

OBJECTIVETo review surgical results of endoscopic transthoracic limited sympathotomy for palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis during the past decade.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed 155 consecutive patients who underwent surgery from June 30, 2000, through December 31, 2009, for medically refractory palmar-plantar hyperhidrosis using a technique of T1-T2 sympathotomy disconnection, designed for successful palmar response and minimization of complications.RESULTSOf the 155 patients, 44 (28.4%) were male, and 111 (71.6%) were female; operative times averaged 38 minutes. No patient experienced Horner syndrome, intercostal neuralgia, or pneumothorax. The only surgical complication was hemothorax in 2 patients (1.3%); in 1 patient, it occurred immediately postoperatively and in the other patient, 10 days postoperatively; treatment in both patients was successful. All 155 patients had successful (warm and dry) palmar responses at discharge. Long-term follow-up (>3 months; mean, 40.2 months) was obtained for 148 patients (95.5%) with the following responses to surgery: 96.6% of patients experienced successful control of palmar sweating; 69.2% of patients experienced decreased axillary sweating; and 39.8% of patients experienced decreased plantar sweating. At follow-up, 5 patients had palmar sweating (3 patients, <3 months; 1 patient, 10-12 months; 1 patient, 16-18 months). Compensatory hyperhidrosis did not occur in 47 patients (31.7%); it was mild in 92 patients (62.2%), moderate in 7 patients (4.7%), and severe in 2 patients (1.3%).CONCLUSIONIn this series, a small-diameter uniportal approach has eliminated intercostal neuralgia. Selecting a T1-T2 sympathotomy yields an excellent palmar response, with a very low severe compensatory hyperhidrosis complication rate. The low failure rate was noted during 18 months of follow-up and suggests that longer follow-up is necessary in these patients.     

两种不同入路单孔胸腔镜T3交感神经链切断术的应用对比研究

目的对比两种不同入路(经剑突下入路与经两侧腋下入路)单孔胸腔镜双侧T3交感神经链切断术治疗原发性手汗症的可行性及安全性。方法从2011年10月-2015年9月,该科共完成单孔胸腔镜双侧T3交感神经链切断术治疗手汗症47例,其中经剑突下单孔胸腔镜行双侧T3交感神经链切断术11例(A组),经双侧腋下单孔胸腔镜行T3交感神经链切断术36例(B组),通过观察术后疼痛、术后并发症、症状好转程度、远期有无复发及代偿性多汗等指标,对比两种不同入路单孔胸腔镜手术的疗效及安全性。结果两组患者均顺利完成手术,A组平均手术时间为(74.00±12.00)min,术后平均住院时间为(2.00±0.70)d,术后1周使用镇痛药物氨酚双氢可待因平均剂量(26.30±9.20)mg,B组平均手术时间为(56.00±16.00)min,术后平均住院时间为(2.30±1.00)d,术后1周使用镇痛药物氨酚双氢可待因平均剂量(48.30±12.00)mg。近期均无血胸、气胸、Hornor综合征等并发症,随访两组均无复发,两组患者对比围手术期数据,经剑突下入路手术平均时间较经双侧腋下入路手术长,术后各项并发症及治疗效果差异无统计学意义,但术后疼痛程度明显减轻。结论与传统的经双侧腋下切口单孔胸腔镜T3胸交感神经链切断术相比,经剑突下单孔胸腔镜治疗手汗症具有更微创的优势,减轻了术后出现的肋间神经疼痛症状,疗效及安全性确切,值得进一步推广。     

Botulinum toxin type A in prophylactic treatment of migraine

Current migraine preventive therapies are often unsatisfactory because of their limited efficacy, adverse effects, and drug interactions. An open-label, non-controlled study of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) suggested some benefits for patients with migraine. To assess the efficacy and safety of BTX-A, a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, parallel group study was conducted in 32 patients with a history of 2 to 8 migraine attacks per month, with or without aura. The patients were randomized to receive single administrations of 50-U BTX-A or vehicle injected into multiple sites of pericranial muscles at the same visit. Patients kept daily diaries in which they recorded outcome measures like migraine frequency, migraine severity, and the occurrence of migraine-associated symptoms. Patients graded symptoms on a 4-point scale ranging from grades 0 to 3 before and up to 3-months after treatment. The assessments were made at 0, 1, and 3 months. The primary efficacy parameters included number of headaches resolved (grade 3/2 to grade 0) and alleviation of other accompanying symptoms of migraine. The supplementary end point included improvement in quality of life (QOL). About 75% of patients reported complete relief to mild headache (grade 0-1) by BTX-A and none by placebo group. Patient' QOL parameters like energy/vitality and feelings and concerns about the treatment had shown considerable improvement. However, normal day-to-day work functioning and social interactions deteriorated. No adverse effects were reported in any of the patients in either of the groups during the study. It is evident from the study that pericranial injection of 50-U BTX-A showed good efficacy and tolerability as a prophylactic agent. However, this therapy will be expensive to the patients, but it is far superior in providing relief to the patients compared with existing therapies.     

Repeated treatments with botulinum toxin type a produce sustained decreases in the limitations associated with focal upper-limb poststroke spasticity for caregivers and patients

Elovic EP, Brashear A, Kaelin D, Liu J, Millis SR, Barron R, Turkel C. Repeated treatments with botulinum toxin type A produce sustained decreases in the limitations associated with focal upper-limb poststroke spasticity for caregivers and patients.

Objective

To assess the safety and evaluate the effects of repeated treatments with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) on functional disability, quality of life (QOL), and muscle tone of patients with upper-limb poststroke spasticity, as well as its effect on caregivers.

Design

Multicenter, open-label, repeated-dose study.

Setting

Thirty-five clinical sites in North America.

Participants

Patients (N=279) with upper-limb poststroke spasticity at 6 months or more poststroke.

Intervention

Up to 5 intramuscular injections of BTX-A (200-400U) divided among the wrist, finger, thumb, and elbow flexors, with at least 200U in the wrist and finger flexors. Retreatment was permitted at 12 weeks or more after the last treatment.

Main Outcome Measures

Investigators rated disability using the Disability Assessment Scale and muscle tone using the Ashworth Scale. Each patient's health-related QOL was assessed by using the Stroke Adapted Sickness Impact Profile and the visual analog scale of the European Quality of Life−5 Dimensions questionnaires.

Results

Patients treated with BTX-A reported improvements in muscle tone, disability, and ability to function that were statistically significant and clinically meaningful. Significant improvements were observed at week 30 and at subsequent time points in QOL in the overall group and the high-dose group.

Conclusions

Up to 5 treatments with BTX-A every 12 weeks for up to 56 weeks in patients with poststroke spasticity was well tolerated and significantly improved muscle tone, lessened disability, and improved patients' QOL. Further research is required to examine the effectiveness of repeated injections of BTX-A in patients with poststroke spasticity.     

A preliminary comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of botulinum toxin serotypes A and B in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: a retrospective, open-label chart review

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is characterized by acute or chronic regional muscle pain associated with single or multiple trigger points within taut bands of muscle. Botulinum toxins have clinical utility when sustained focal muscle relaxation is required and may be a useful addition to the treatment armamentarium for MPS. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present article was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of botulinum toxin serotypes A and B (BTX-A and BTX-B) in the treatment of MPS. METHODS: This was a retrospective, open-label, single-center chart review. Charts of all patients who received either BTX-A or BTX-B for MPS between January and November 2001 were included in the review. Patients rated the intensity of their pain on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain imaginable before and after receiving BTX-A or BTX-B. RESULTS: The charts of 91 patients (74.7% female, 25.3% male; mean [SD] age, 47 [10.2] years) who received BTX-A (n = 56; mean dose, 256.9 U; range, 100-600 U) or BTX-B (n = 35; mean dose, 9000 U; range, 2500-20,000 U) were included in this retrospective review. Patients who received BTX-A had significantly greater mean reductions in VAS pain scores compared with those who received BTX-B (mean reduction, 2.7 vs 1.8, respectively; P < 0.001). Patients who received BTX-A also reported significantly longer durations of pain relief compared with those who received BTX-B (4.5 vs 2.7) months; P < 0.001). Eight of 56 patients (14.3%) in the group that received BTX-A reported mild adverse events that included flulike symptoms, injection-site pain, and weakness of the neck muscles. Seven of 35 patients (20.0%) in the group that received BTX-B reported adverse events that included mild flulike symptoms, dry eyes, severe visual disturbances, and severe dry mouth. CONCLUSION: Patients with MPS who received BTX-A reported significantly greater reductions in pain for longer durations compared with those who received BTX-B. No patients who received BTX-A experienced severe systemic adverse events, compared with 4 patients who received BTX-B. The results of this comparison are consistent with the US Food and Drug Administration-approved labeling indicating that BTX-A is not interchangeable with any other botulinum toxin in terms of biological activity.     

Intradermal botulinum toxin type A injection effectively reduces residual limb hyperhidrosis in amputees: a case series

Charrow A, DiFazio M, Foster L, Pasquina PF, Tsao JW. Intradermal botulinum toxin type A injection effectively reduces residual limb hyperhidrosis in amputees: a case series.

Objective

To study the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) therapy for residual limb hyperhidrosis, prosthesis fit and function, and residual and phantom limb pain in patients with limb amputation.

Design

Consecutive case series.

Setting

Outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic.

Participants

Walter Reed Army Medical Center patients (N=8) with unilateral traumatic upper- or lower-limb amputation.

Intervention

BTX-A was injected transdermally in a circumferential pattern around the residual limb by using a 1-cm matrix grid.

Main Outcome Measure

A 10-cm continuous Likert visual analog scale was used to assess residual limb sweating and pain and prosthesis fit and function before and 3 weeks after BTX-A injections.

Results

Patients reported a significant reduction in sweating and improvement in prosthesis fit and function after treatment. However, residual limb and phantom pain were unaffected by treatment.

Conclusions

BTX-A may be an effective treatment for residual limb hyperhidrosis, resulting in subjective improvement in prosthesis fit and functioning. BTX-A should be considered as a method to manage excessive sweating in the residual limb of traumatic amputees.     

Treatment of primary hyperhidrosis

Primary hyperhidrosis is a physically and emotionally distressing condition. Physicians should be aware of the various treatment modalities available for controlling or reducing the profuse sweating, which involves mainly the palms, soles, and axillas. The simplest methods, such as topical application of aluminum chloride, should be attempted first. If topical medications are ineffective, iontophoresis may provide relief, especially in patients with plantar or palmar involvement. When patients are unresponsive to other treatment options, surgical intervention may be warranted-excision of sweat glands in patients with axillary hyperhidrosis and upper thoracic sympathectomy in those with palmar involvement. Although excellent results have been reported, complications and resumption of sweating have occurred.     

Sympathotomy instead of sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: minimizing postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether anatomical modification of sympathectomy diminishes severe postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1, 2000, to June 1, 2001, we prospectively studied 10 consecutive patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis, aged 14 to 42 years. Medical therapy had failed in all patients. A preoperative and postoperative evaluation and thermoregulatory sweat testing were conducted in all patients. All patients underwent sympathotomy (bilateral simple disconnection) of the second thoracic ganglion input into the brachial plexus, and no sympathetic ganglia were violated. RESULTS: In the 10 patients, all 20 upper extremities improved postoperatively: 11 (55%) had near-complete cessation of palmar sweating, 8 (40%) had marked reduction in sweating, and 1 (5%) had delayed onset but full sweating at the end of the thermoregulatory sweat test. No intraoperative complications of hemopneumothorax or Horner syndrome occurred. Importantly, there were no moderate or severe postoperative hyperhidrosis complications. CONCLUSION: Sympathotomy to disconnect T2 ganglion input into the brachial plexus produces excellent results in the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis and may lower the severity of postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis complications. Long-term durability of the procedure requires further follow-up.     

Evaluation and treatment of synkinesis with botulinum toxin following facial nerve palsy

Purpose.?To assess the effect and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in reducing synkinesis in aberrant facial nerve regeneration (following facial paralysis).

Method.?A total of 55 sessions of BTX-A (Botox®) infiltration were performed on 30 patients (23 female) with synkinesis after facial palsy. Each subject was injected with 2.5 units of BTX-A in each injection site (the sites were chosen on a case-by-case basis). The synkinetic muscles targeted include: orbicularis oculi, zygomaticus major, depressor labii inferioris, platysma, healthy frontalis and healthy corrugator supercilii. The patients were examined using the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, both before the BTX-A treatment and after an average of 35 days.

Results.?All 30 patients experienced improvement to the synkinesis after treatment. Total scores: median pre-BTX-A: 40; post 53 p?=?0.004. Resting symmetry scores: mean pre-BTX-A ?7.1; post: ?3.5; median pre ?5 [interquartile range (IQR) ?10 to ?5]; post: ?5 (IQR ?5 to 0); p?=?0.0001. Symmetry of voluntary movement median pre-BTX-A: 56 post 60 p?=?0.10. Synkinesis scores: median pre-BTX-A: ?9 post ?3 p?<?0.0001. Mean duration of improvement was 4 months.

Conclusions.?BTX-A injection treatment was effective in reducing facial synkinesis, thus improving facial expression symmetry both at rest and in voluntary movements.     

Duration of effect of botulinum toxin type A in adult patients with cervical dystonia: a retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials have established the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in patients with cervical dystonia. To maintain the clinical benefits of BTX-A, injections need to be repeated whenever patients' symptoms begin to recur. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine, in clinical practice settings, the mean duration of effect of BTX-A in the treatment of adult patients with cervical dystonia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken at an academic center and a private neurology practice. At each site, > or =50 patients being treated for cervical dystonia were identified and randomized for chart review. Patients had to have received the first assessable injection of BTX-A between January 1, 1998, and March 31, 1998, to coincide with the clinical availability of the most current formulation of the neurotoxin. A chart was eligible for review if the patient was aged > or =18 years, had a documented diagnosis of idiopathic cervical dystonia, was being treated with BTX-A, and had been under the continuous care of investigators from January 1, 1998, to August 31, 1999. Of the 102 patients initially identified, the first 30 from each site who met the study inclusion criteria were assessed for (1) age and sex; (2) severity of dystonia; (3) years of BTX-A use; (4) dates of first, second, third, and fourth BTX-A injections; (5) drug dose; (6) use of electromyography; (7) use of other prescribed therapies; (8) laboratory tests; and (9) adverse events. The mean interval between each visit and mean per-patient duration of effect were calculated and stratified by patient characteristics. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 56.4 years. Two thirds of the patients were women. Forty-one of the 60 patients (68.3%) had either moderate or severe disease, and 48 (80.0%) had experienced cervical dystonia for >5 years. The mean per-patient duration of effect across the 4 visits was 15.5 weeks (range, 12.2-24.3 weeks). The duration of effect did not differ significantly between study sites despite the differences in disease severity, drug dose, and use of adjunctive therapy. CONCLUSION: BTX-A the controls symptoms of cervical dystonia for 12 to 24 weeks, with a mean duration of effect per patient of 15.5 weeks.     

胸腔镜下胸交感神经链切断术治疗原发性手汗症的手术护理

[目的]探讨胸腔镜下交感神经链切断术治疗原发性手汗症的手术护理方法。[方法]对18例病人术前给予有效的心理辅导,充分的术前准备,密切的术中配合。[结果]本组手术均成功,术中无并发症发生,术后手汗症均消失,手术效果满意。[结论]完善的术前准备、熟练的手术护理、紧密的医护配合是手术成功的关键。     

A型肉毒毒素治疗三叉神经痛和带状疱疹后神经痛的临床疗效

目的：观察A型肉毒毒素治疗三叉神经痛和带状疱疹后神经痛的临床效果。方法：选取33例三叉神经痛或带状疱疹后神经痛患者，进行疼痛区域A型肉毒毒素皮下或皮内注射治疗，评估患者治疗时、治疗2周后、治疗3个月后疼痛情况（NRS）、睡眠状况及生活质量（QOL），判断治疗效果，观察药物不良反应。结果：患者使用A型肉毒毒素治疗2周后、3个月后疼痛评分、睡眠评分显著低于治疗时（P<0.05），生活质量显著高于治疗时（P<0.05），治疗效果好，不良反应少。结论：A型肉毒毒素治疗三叉神经痛和带状疱疹后神经痛效果显著，可成为神经病理性疼痛治疗的一种新途径。     

一孔法胸腔镜下交感神经链切断术治疗手汗症30例临床研究

目的探讨一孔法电视胸腔镜下T3或T4交感神经链及其侧支切断术治疗手汗症的可行性。方法在全麻双腔气管插管下施行T3或T4交感神经链及其侧支切断术治疗手汗症30例。结果30例手术均获成功,术后患者手掌多汗症状消失,有效率为100％,术后掌温升高（2．5±0．8）℃。30例随访1．5-12个月,平均8月,无一例复发及严重代偿性多汗．轻度代偿性多汗1例,占3．3％0／30）。结论一孔法电视胸腔镜下]r3或T4交感神经链及其侧支切断术治疗手汗症疗效确切,创伤小,疼痛较轻,且术后代偿性多汗发生率低,程度轻微,是一种安全、有效的手术方式。     

Quality-of-life in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation: results of long-term follow-up

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) significantly impairs patients' quality-of-life (QOL). The effect on QOL of recently developed ablation techniques with curative intention has not been studied. Thirty patients (21 men, age 54.1 +/- 9.5 years) with PAF (duration 5.6 +/- 5.2 years) who failed antiarrhythmic (3.8 +/- 1.2 trials) drug therapy underwent catheter ablation. The follow-up time was 33.9 +/- 11 months. QOL was assessed preablation, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 36 months after catheter ablation. The Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form (SF-36), scored on a 0-100 scale for each of eight domains: bodily pain, general health, mental health, physical functioning, role-emotional, role-physical, social functioning, and vitality, was used. Simultaneously, patients filled out a symptom-specific checklist (SSC) with seven clinical items scored 1-4 (1 best): dyspnea, nausea, palpitations, anxiety, syncope, presyncope, and NYHA classification. Patients with successful catheter ablation had a significant benefit in seven of eight subscales while patients with recurrence had an impact on QOL in two of eight subscales. Using SSC, a successful ablation influenced scores in all seven items while patients with recurrence had a significant change of clinical symptoms in only one item, anxiety. The subscales of the study group compared to a healthy population show higher scores after 24 months of follow-up. Patients with PAF experience a significant improvement in QOL after a successful catheter ablation. In contrast, in patients with recurrence of PAF the QOL showed improvement to a lesser extent and patients experienced ongoing symptoms.     

胸腔镜下交感神经链切除术治疗双手多汗症(12例报告)

目的评价内镜下胸交感神经链切除术治疗多汗症的临床效果。方法回顾性分析内镜下胸交感神经链切除术治疗12例多汗症的结果。结果12例术后多汗症均治愈，2例术后2d发生背部、双股部不同程度代偿性出汗，3～6个月后缓解，术后获得随访的10例未见复发。结论胸腔镜下交感神经链切除手术安全、疗效确切、创伤小，缩短住院时间。     

胸腔镜一孔法治疗手汗症

目的通过胸腔镜一孔法切断胸交感神经干治疗多汗症,总结其安全性和有效性。方法自1996年6月至2008年12月,46例多汗症患者在全麻双腔插管下通过胸腔镜一孔法行胸交感神经切除术。治疗方法采用电凝毁损胸2交感神经节。结果术后多汗症状全部消失,11例（39．5％）病人出现上肢以外的代偿性多汗,但基本可以忍受,不影响生活,不需进一步治疗。全组无复发病例,无手术死亡,效果满意。结论胸腔镜胸交感神经切除术是当今外科治疗手汗症的金标准,单一孔切口更加符合现代美容要求,创伤性更小,其手术技巧至关重要。     

Sialorrhea, hyperhidrosis and botulinum toxin]

OBJECTIVE: The first clinical studies indicate that Botox provides effective treatment for hyperhidrosis and sialorrhea. The aim of this work is to sum up current evaluation of this use. METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted on the Pub Med database, along with on chapters in other publications. The most interesting articles in relation to our own personal experience were chosen. RESULTS: Despite recent use of BT to treat focal hyperhidrosis, there have been numerous publications since 1997. However, the injected areas have not been listed so frequently. Axillary hyperhidrosis has been studied most; it is also in this case and in the case of gustatory sweating that the best results have been obtained. Publications about palmar and especially plantar hyperhidrosis are much rarer, almost anecdotic. It has been demonstrated to a lesser extent that BT injections are effective in these cases. Literature about sialorrhea is just beginning. However, the reduction of the production of saliva following intra parenchymatic injection of toxin into the parotid and submandibular glands, thus rarifying drooling, has been demonstrated.For each of the pathological indications, both the injection techniques and the optimal doses remain to be determined. DISCUSSION: Because BT blocks all cholinergic transmission, including the autonomous nervous system, it was plausible to expect a reduction in sweating and salivation on local injection of the product. In fact, the first publications indicated such efficiency without serious side effects.For hyperhidrosis, there has developed a consensus for making intracutaneous injections only. Of the injections in axillary areas, the palms of the hands, the plantar regions, the face or other cutaneous areas, palmoplantar hyperhidrosis is the least accessible, in any case causes the most technical problems, because of difficulty in pain management. For sialorrhea and the drooling that accompanies certain chronical neurological diseases, BT seems to have very promising effects. However, it has not been precisely determined whether to inject the parotid gland, the submandibular gland, or both. Necessary and sufficient means of targeting are still imprecise. It also remains to be determined the number of sites per gland and the doses to be injected.     

Pooled analysis of the safety of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of poststroke spasticity

OBJECTIVE: To examine the safety of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A). DESIGN: Analysis of pooled data of 9 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of patients with spasticity after stroke. SETTING: University hospitals and specialty rehabilitation centers in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 482 patients with upper-limb spasticity and 310 with lower-limb spasticity (overall mean age, 58y; 60% men). INTERVENTION: Treatment with BTX-A (n=534; 1-3 treatments; mean dose, 231U) or placebo (n=258). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Adverse events. RESULTS: Most patients (69%) received only 1 treatment with BTX-A. Patients were followed for a mean of 17.8 weeks (range, 0.1-44.7wk) after each treatment. A total of 352 (65.9%) patients in the BTX-A group and 163 (63.2%) in the placebo group reported at least 1 adverse event (P=.475). The most frequent adverse events reported by patients (>5% but <10% in either group) were respiratory infection, seizures, incoordination, and injection site pain, none of which occurred at a significantly higher rate in the BTX-A group (all P>.05). The majority of adverse events were rated as mild or moderate in severity. Only nausea was reported at a significantly higher rate in the BTX-A group (12/534 [2.2%]) than the placebo group (0/258) (P=.011); in contrast, injection site pain, chest pain, and allergic reaction were reported significantly more frequently in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: BTX-A has an acceptable safety profile for treatment of patients with focal spasticity following stroke, a population in which adverse events and comorbidities are common.     

冠心病患者抑郁情绪与生活质量的相关性研究

目的 调查和分析冠心病患者的抑郁水平、生活质量与总体健康感觉。方法 采用抑郁自评量表SDS和冠心病特异生活质量量表、西雅图心绞痛调查问卷（SAQ）,对59例冠心病患者的抑郁水平和生活质量进行测评,并让患者评价其总体健康状况,从“非常好”到“非常差”分为5个等级。结果 冠心病患者存在不同程度的抑郁症状,生活质量不高,对自身健康状况的主观感觉普遍较差。抑郁与生活质量和总体健康感觉存在中等程度的负相关。结论 在冠心病患者的治疗和护理中,应注意改善患者的心理健康水平,提高其生活质量和总体健康状况。