Factors associated with quality of life in hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm during long-term treatment with botulinum toxin.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to assess the impact of hemifacial spasm (HFS) and blepharospasm (BS) on quality of life (QOL) during long-term treatment with botulinum toxin injections.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients with HFS and 32 patients with BS as well as two healthy age- and sex-matched control groups were included in the study. All participants independently completed the disease-specific questionnaire for QOL, the HFS-30, and the Thai Depression Inventory, and also provided a peak improvement score assessment.

RESULTS

The disease severity in both patient groups revealed mild functional impairment. The scores of HFS-30 in HFS patients (four of 8 subscales) and BS patients (3 of 8 subscales) were significantly higher than the control groups. In both HFS and BS, depression scores were positively correlated with the HFS-30 scores, while peak improvement and educational level were inversely correlated with the HFS-30 scores. Patients with BS were more affected in Mobility and Activities of Daily Living than HFS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Both HFS and BS affect QOL both physically and mentally despite clinical improvement with botulinum toxin. Depression and peak improvement after injection were associated with the level of QOL.