Long-term follow-up of botulinum toxin therapy for focal hand dystonia: outcome at 10 years or more.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Previous studies have explored the efficacy and safety of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) treatment for Focal hand dystonia (FHD), but none have followed a large number of patients for 10 years or more.

METHODS:

Retrospective study, with benefit and weakness assessed on a 0 to 4 subjective scale. Demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics were analyzed using t tests and Pearson correlations.

RESULTS:

Twenty FHD patients had 10 years or longer treatment. Interinjection intervals were variable. Musicians were more likely to wait longer between injections and had less complex dystonia. There was a trend for larger benefit in women and with shorter intervals. The dose increased over time. Dystonia characteristics did not predict response or side-effects, but benefit magnitude predicted longer compliance. No serious side-effects or antibody-mediated resistance occurred.

CONCLUSION:

This is the longest reported period of BoNT treatment in the largest FHD cohort. BoNT therapy for FHD remains safe and effective after more than a decade of treatment.

• Authors: Codrin Lungu, Barbara I Karp, Katharine Alter, Regina Zolbrod, Mark Hallett
• Journal: Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society (Mov Disord) Vol. 26 Issue 4 Pg. 750-3 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1531-8257 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21506157 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Movement Disorder Society.

Chemical References

• Anti-Dyskinesia Agents
• Botulinum Toxins

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Dyskinesia Agents (therapeutic use)
• Botulinum Toxins (therapeutic use)
• Disability Evaluation
• Dystonic Disorders (drug therapy, pathology)
• Female
• Hand (physiopathology)
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome