Botulinum toxin A in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

• Published in: International journal of neuroscience Vol. 126; no. 4; pp. 348 - 353
• Main Authors: Xia, Jian-Hua, He, Cai-Hong, Zhang, Hai-Feng, Lian, Ya-Jun, Chen, Yuan, Wu, Chuan-Jie, Ma, Yun-Qing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Taylor & Francis 02.04.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; anxiety; Anxiety - complications; Anxiety - drug therapy; botulinum toxin A; Botulinum Toxins, Type A - administration & dosage; Botulinum Toxins, Type A - adverse effects; Botulinum Toxins, Type A - therapeutic use; depression; Depression - complications; Depression - drug therapy; Female; Humans; Injections; Male; Middle Aged; Pain Measurement; Quality of Life; sleep disorder; Sleep Wake Disorders - complications; Sleep Wake Disorders - drug therapy; trigeminal neuralgia; Trigeminal Neuralgia - complications; Trigeminal Neuralgia - drug therapy; anxiety; sleep disorder; depression; botulinum toxin A; quality of life; trigeminal neuralgia
• ISSN: 0020-7454; 1563-5279; 1543-5245
• DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2015.1019624

Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical effects and safety of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in treating trigeminal neuralgia and its influences on accompanied depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and quality of life. Methods and Material: Eighty-seven patients with one-branch classical trigeminal neuralgia were injected with BTX-A in the pain area. The visual analogic scale score, sleep interference score, Hamilton Anxiety Scale score, Hamilton Depression Scale score, and side effects were assessed at 1 week prior to and 8 weeks after treatment, respectively. Results: The effective rates after 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of treatment were 48.28%, 66.67%, 78.16%, and 80.46%, respectively. The effective rates of anxiety and depression were 90.32% and 96.77%, respectively. When compared to that before treatment, the quality of life was significantly better in terms of role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health (all P < 0.01), while physical function was not significantly improved (P = 0.317). Conclusion: BTX-A treatment can significantly relieve the pain in trigeminal neuralgia patients; improve anxiety, depression, and sleep; and increase the quality of life. BTX-A treatment is a safe and effective method to treat classical trigeminal neuralgia.