J Reimer1, K Gilg, A Karow, J Esser, G H Franke. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Hamburg, Hamburg. reimer@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) has become an important outcome criterion of medical interventions, but was hardly studied in patients with facial spasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm treated with botulinum toxin were included. A healthy control group sociodemografically matched to patients was established. Instruments applied included the SF-36 (global HRQL), the NEI-VFQ (disease-specific HRQL) and the Blepharospasm Rating/Disability Scale, the latter to patients only. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with blepharospasm and 21 patients with hemifacial spasm took part. The Blepharospasm Rating/Disability Scale revealed minor functional limitations, but identified some symptoms to be improved. In both patient groups global (both SF-36 Component Summaries) and disease-specific (eight of 12 subscales) HRQL were significantly impaired compared with controls. CONCLUSION: HRQL should be integrated as core outcome criterion in treatment of patients with facial spasms. Assessment by a generic and a disease-specific instrument is recommended. Blackwell Munksgaard 2004
OBJECTIVES: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) has become an important outcome criterion of medical interventions, but was hardly studied in patients with facial spasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Patients with blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm treated with botulinum toxin were included. A healthy control group sociodemografically matched to patients was established. Instruments applied included the SF-36 (global HRQL), the NEI-VFQ (disease-specific HRQL) and the Blepharospasm Rating/Disability Scale, the latter to patients only. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with blepharospasm and 21 patients with hemifacial spasm took part. The Blepharospasm Rating/Disability Scale revealed minor functional limitations, but identified some symptoms to be improved. In both patient groups global (both SF-36 Component Summaries) and disease-specific (eight of 12 subscales) HRQL were significantly impaired compared with controls. CONCLUSION: HRQL should be integrated as core outcome criterion in treatment of patients with facial spasms. Assessment by a generic and a disease-specific instrument is recommended. Blackwell Munksgaard 2004
Authors: Marcus K Blackburn; Randy D Lamb; Kathleen B Digre; A Gordon Smith; Judith E A Warner; Robert W McClane; Sanjeev D Nandedkar; Wendy J Langeberg; Richard Holubkov; Bradley J Katz Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2009-05 Impact factor: 12.079