Health-related quality of life in blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm.

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.