Botulinumtoxin Improves both Generic and Disease-Specific Quality of Life in Cervical Dystonia

Botulinumtoxin injection (BoNT) into affected muscles is effective to improve motor symptoms of cervical dystonia (CD) by reducing muscle contraction and involuntary dystonic movement and posturing. However, the understanding of the effect on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and patient referral under HR-QoL aspects is incomplete. In this open-label clinical prospective observational study, we characterized the outcomes in CD (n = 159) from botulinumtoxin on both generic HR-QoL (EuroQol; EQ-5D-5L) and disease-specific HR-QoL [craniocervical dystonia questionnaire (CDQ-24)]. Additionally, we characterized motor and non-motor signs of dystonia including motor symptom improvement, depressive symptoms, pain, and sleep quality. We assessed patients at the end of a regular 3-month period from last injection (Timepoint1) and 4 weeks after the re-injection of BoNT (Timepoint2). We aimed to define outcomes on both generic and disease-specific HR-QoL and to evaluate predictors of therapeutic outcome in terms of stepwise multiple regression models. Patients with CD showed a robust improvement of both generic and disease-specific HR-QoL. Furthermore, motor and non-motor signs improved. Multiple regression analyses revealed that EQ-5D-5L and “satisfaction with health” (Fragen zur Lebenszufriedenheit-G) at Timepoint1 predicted treatment response on generic HR-QoL outcome (R(2) = 0.284; P = 0.019). Similarly, CDQ-24 and Beck’s Depression inventory at Timepoint1 predicted the treatment response on disease-specific HR-QoL (R(2) = 0.253; P = 0.026). Our study underscores both generic and disease-specific HR-QoL improvements in CD, and provides useful predictors on HR-QoL outcomes.