Pain relief in cervical dystonia following regular long-term botulinum therapy

Tolmacheva V.A.; Spektor E.D.; Romanov D.V.; Parfenov V.A.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/pain20242202122

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INTRODUCTION

Cervical dystonia (CD) is characterized by pain, which is often the main reason for visiting a doctor. Analgesics are often used to control pain, but regular administration of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) may be more effective. The effectiveness of regular long-term use of BTA in CD in relation to pain has been little studied, which served as the basis for this study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For 3 years, 65 patients (44 men, 21 women, average age 53±15 years) with CD who regularly received BTA therapy were observed. The severity of CD was assessed using the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS), pain — using TWSTRS and a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at baseline, one month after BTA therapy and 3 years later during the period of maximum severity of symptoms (before the next BTA injection).

RESULTS

A decrease in pain according to NRS and TWSTRS was shown not only after 1 month, but also after 3 years (p<0.0001). The reduction in pain was significant for initially moderate and severe pain according to the NRS of pain (p<0.0001). In patients with mild pain intensity, no significant changes were noted (F=1.5, p=0.23). An inverse correlation was noted between the sensory trick and the duration of the disease.

CONCLUSION

The use of BTA for CD reduces pain not only after a month, but also after 3 years of regular therapy during the period of maximum severity of symptoms.

Keywords:

cervical dystonia

pain

TWSTRS

botulinum therapy

Authors:

Tolmacheva V.A.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

ORCID: 0000-0002-8115-2668

Spektor E.D.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

ORCID: 0000-0003-0714-9476

Romanov D.V.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University);
Scientific Center of Mental Health

ORCID: 0000-0002-1822-8973

Parfenov V.A.

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

SPIN RSCI: 3322-5559
Scopus AuthorID: 57216913889
ResearcherID: AAG-7021-2019
ORCID: 0000-0002-1992-7960

Received:

17.11.2023

Accepted:

12.01.2024

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References:

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