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.