The impact of the reclusion on patients with blepharospasm during the COVID19 pandemic

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2022.107363Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Blepharospasm (BS) patients require Botulinum toxin (BoNT) injections performed regularly every 3–4 months.

  • During the Covid-19 pandemic BS patients missed the scheduled BoNT injections.

  • This study measured the level of disability (LoD) due to BS during and after the lockdown.

  • During the lock down LoD was not increased although BoNT injections were suspended.

  • Psychosocial factors consequent to lockdown may limit the worsening of BS LoD in patients who did not receive BoNT treatment.

Abstract

Background

Blepharospasm (BS) is a focal dystonia that can be treated successfully with Botulinum toxin (BoNT). During the reclusion due to the Covid 19 pandemic many patients missed the scheduled treatment.

Objectives

Aim of the study is to evaluate Level of Disability (LoD) related to BS during the lockdown period.

Methods

LoD was assessed by an adapted version of Blepharospasm Disability Index (4iBSDI) during reclusion (T1), and three months after the first injection following the lock down phase (T2). 4iBSDI scores were compared between T1 and T2, a correlation between the change of LoD in the two periods (t-delta) and patients’ clinical data was analyzed.

Results

LoD was not modified between the two periods in most of the patients and it was reduced at T1 in almost one third of the participants. No correlation between t-delta and clinical data was found.

Conclusions

LoD did not increase during the lock down period in most of BS patients although BoNT treatment was suspended. Environmental and psychosocial factors may contribute to determine the LoD due to BS.

Keywords

Blepharospasm
Focal dystonia
Botulinum toxin
Covid-19 lock-down

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