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.
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 FHDpatients 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: H A Jinnah; Alfredo Berardelli; Cynthia Comella; Giovanni Defazio; Mahlon R Delong; Stewart Factor; Wendy R Galpern; Mark Hallett; Christy L Ludlow; Joel S Perlmutter; Ami R Rosen Journal: Mov Disord Date: 2013-06-15 Impact factor: 10.338