Botulinum toxin A (BT-A) versus low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in chronic migraine treatment: a comparison.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate patients with chronic migraine treated with botulinum toxin A (BT-A) and compare this with low level laser therapy (LLLT), referencing: pain days, pain intensity, intake of drugs/self-medication, anxiety and sleep disorders. METHODS: Patients were randomized into two groups: BT-A group (n = 18) and LLLT group (n = 18). Each patient kept three pain diaries: one before (baseline) (30 days), one during treatment (30 days) and one after the post-treatment phase (30 days). Repeated ANOVA plus the Bonferroni post-test, Student's t test, and factorial analysis were applied, and p < 0.05 was accepted as significant. RESULTS: Our data showed that both treatments were able to reduce headache days, acute medication intake and decrease the intensity of pain. Anxiety was reduced in the BT-A group, while sleep disturbance was reduced in the LLLT group. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that both treatments can be used to treat chronic migraine, without notable differences between them.

Botulinum toxin A (BT-A) versus low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in chronic migraine treatment: a comparison / Toxina botulínica A (BT-A) versus laser terapia de baixa potência (LLLT) em enxaqueca crônica: Uma triagem comparativa

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate patients with chronic migraine treated with botulinum toxin A (BT-A) and compare this with low level laser therapy (LLLT), referencing: pain days, pain intensity, intake of drugs/self-medication, anxiety and sleep disorders. Methods: Patients were randomized into two groups: BT-A group (n = 18) and LLLT group (n = 18). Each patient kept three pain diaries: one before (baseline) (30 days), one during treatment (30 days) and one after the post-treatment phase (30 days). Repeated ANOVA plus the Bonferroni post-test, Student's t test, and factorial analysis were applied, and p < 0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: Our data showed that both treatments were able to reduce headache days, acute medication intake and decrease the intensity of pain. Anxiety was reduced in the BT-A group, while sleep disturbance was reduced in the LLLT group. Conclusion: Our data showed that both treatments can be used to treat chronic migraine, without notable differences between them.

RESUMO O estudo comparou pacientes com cefaleia crônica (CM) tratados com toxina botulínica A (BT-A) versus terapia a laser de baixa intensidade (LLLT), relativos a: dias de dor, automedicação, nervosismo e distúrbios do sono. Métodos: Os pacientes foram randomizados em dois grupos: Grupo BT-A (n = 18) e Grupo LLLT (n = 18). Cada paciente preencheu três diários de dor, sendo um antes do início do tratamento (30 dias), durante o tratamento (30 dias) e um após tratamento (30 dias). ANOVA e pós-teste Bonferroni, teste T de Student e análise fatorial foram utilizados e valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados significativos. Resultados: Ambos os tratamentos foram capazes de reduzir os dias de dor e a ingestão aguda de medicação. Além disso, a ansiedade foi reduzida no grupo BT-A, enquanto que o distúrbio do sono foi reduzido no grupo LLLT. Conclusão: Nossos resultados mostraram que ambos os tratamentos são eficientes contra CM, sem diferença entre eles.

Efficacy, Safety, and Subject Satisfaction After AbobotulinumtoxinA Treatment of Upper Facial Lines.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxins are the treatment of choice for wrinkles in the upper third of the face. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and subject satisfaction of abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO) for treatment of upper facial lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects aged 35 to 50 years with moderate-to-severe upper facial lines were included in this study. Subjects received a maximum of 125 s.U. ABO in at least 2 indications with optional touch-up after 2 weeks. Assessments included wrinkle severity, global aesthetic improvement, subject satisfaction, and adverse events (AEs) 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: At Month 1, 100, 94, and 93% of subjects were responders in dynamic glabellar, lateral canthal, and forehead lines, respectively. All subjects were improved 1 month after treatment, and the majority of the subjects were still improved after 6 months. After treatment, most subjects were satisfied with the appearance of their face, felt better about themselves, and agreed that the treatment made them look the way they feel. Seven subjects (22%) had 8 ABO-related AEs (mild-moderate); headache was most commonly reported (9%). CONCLUSION: AbobotulinumtoxinA effectively treated upper facial lines, with high patient satisfaction. Treatment was generally well-tolerated.

Onabotulinumtoxin type A improves lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in patients with human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 associated overactive bladder

ABSTRACT Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of the onabotulinum toxin type A in the treatment of HTLV-1 associated overactive bladder and its impact on quality of life (QoL). Methods: Case series with 10 patients with overactive bladder refractory to conservative treatment with anticholinergic or physical therapy. They received 200Ui of onabotulinumtoxin type A intravesically and were evaluated by overactive bladder symptoms score (OABSS) and King's Health Questionnaire. Results: The mean (SD) of the age was 52 + 14.5 years and 60% were female. All of them had confirmed detrusor overactivity on urodynamic study. Seven patients had HAM/TSP. The median and range of the OABSS was 13 (12-15) before therapy and decreased to 1.0 (0-12) on day 30 and to 03 (0-14) on day 90 (p < 0.0001). There was a significant improvement in 8 of the 9 domains of the King's Health Questionnaire after the intervention. Hematuria, urinary retention and urinary infection were the complications observed in 3 out of 10 patients. The mean time to request retreatment was 465 days. Conclusion: Onabotulinum toxin type A intravesically reduced the OABSS with last long effect and improved the quality of life of HTLV-1 infected patients with severe overactive bladder.

Onabotulinumtoxin type A improves lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in patients with human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 associated overactive bladder.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the onabotulinum toxin type A in the treatment of HTLV-1 associated overactive bladder and its impact on quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Case series with 10 patients with overactive bladder refractory to conservative treatment with anticholinergic or physical therapy. They received 200Ui of onabotulinumtoxin type A intravesically and were evaluated by overactive bladder symptoms score (OABSS) and King's Health Questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean (SD) of the age was 52+14.5 years and 60% were female. All of them had confirmed detrusor overactivity on urodynamic study. Seven patients had HAM/TSP. The median and range of the OABSS was 13 (12-15) before therapy and decreased to 1.0 (0-12) on day 30 and to 03 (0-14) on day 90 (p<0.0001). There was a significant improvement in 8 of the 9 domains of the King's Health Questionnaire after the intervention. Hematuria, urinary retention and urinary infection were the complications observed in 3 out of 10 patients. The mean time to request retreatment was 465 days. CONCLUSION: Onabotulinum toxin type A intravesically reduced the OABSS with last long effect and improved the quality of life of HTLV-1 infected patients with severe overactive bladder.

Management of Overactive Bladder With OnabotulinumtoxinA: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment in the management of overactive bladder syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis was performed including randomized controlled clinical trials that compared the use of OnabotulinumtoxinA with the use of placebo, antimuscarinic medication, or different doses of OnabotulinumtoxinA. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria and did not have any exclusion criteria. Primary outcome is improvement of urge incontinence, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency. Secondary outcomes are adverse events (urinary tract infection, urinary retention) and quality of life. Outcomes were evaluated after a 12-week follow-up period. Independent evaluation of the study's quality using the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) tool was made. Analysis was performed in Review Manager 5.2. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, OnabotulinumtoxinA significantly decreased the number of episodes of urge incontinence. Urinary tract infection was more frequent in patients treated with OnabotulinumtoxinA than in patients treated with placebo. Frequency of urinary retention was not significantly different between patients treated with 100 IU OnabotulinumtoxinA dose and those treated with higher doses. Quality of life was assessed with different instruments in 3 of the studies; this implied a limitation because it was not possible to compare these data. CONCLUSION: Intravesical injections of OnabotulinumtoxinA compared with placebo showed a statistically significant improvement in the treatment of overactive bladder. Adverse events were more frequent among patients treated with OnabotulinumtoxinA. This meta-analysis takes into account only randomized placebo controlled trials.

Manejo médico de la hiperhidrosis / Medical management of hyperhidrosis

La hiperhidrosis es un aumento patológico de la sudoración, que puede asociarse a patologías médicas y fármacos, afectando en forma significativa la calidad de vida. La hiperhidrosis focal primaria es una patología común, cuyo manejo es un desafío. Están disponibles múltiples terapias para el tratamiento de hiperhidrosis, incluyendo productos tópicos, iontoforesis, toxina botulínica, fármacos sistémicos, cirugía y nuevos equipos para destrucción selectiva de las glándulas sudoríparas. El propósito de este artículo es revisar la literatura, enfocándose en las terapias no quirúrgicas y opciones de tratamiento emergentes.

Hyperhidrosis is a pathological excessive sweating. It can be associated with medical conditions or drugs and affect significantly the quality of life. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a common disorder for which treatment is often a therapeutic challenge. Multiple therapies are available for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, including topical products, iontophoresis, botulinum toxin, systemic medications, surgery and new devices aimed at the destruction of ecrine glands. The purpose of this article is to review the literature, with a focus on non-surgical therapies and emerging treatment options.

Differences in Corneal Parameters Between Affected and Normal Contralateral Eyes in Patients With Hemifacial Spasm Treated With Botulinum Toxin-A: Outcomes During One Complete Treatment Cycle.

PURPOSE: To investigate possible temporary differences in corneal topographic parameters between affected and normal eyes in patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) treated with botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A), over the course of 1 treatment cycle. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated corneal topographic differences between affected and normal contralateral eyes during a 4-month period in patients with HFS treated with BTX-A (the duration of action of BTX-A for HFS ranges from 2 to 4 months). Corneal topographic analysis was performed using a conventional topographer (Atlas; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). Steep K and astigmatism measurements were evaluated before BTX-A application and after 15 days and 2, 3, and 4 months. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (16 women and 8 men) were evaluated. Steep K [46.9 ± 3.6 diopters (D)] and astigmatism values (2.6 ± 2.5 D) were significantly higher in affected eyes of HFS patients than in nonaffected eyes (45.0 ± 1.4 D and 0.9 ± 0.6 D) before treatment (P = 0.001 for steep K and P = 0.0003 for astigmatism). Astigmatism values also showed significant differences between the affected eye (1.4 ± 0.8 D) and nonaffected eye (0.9 ± 0.6 D) at 4 months (P = 0.006), whereas steep K showed significant differences between both eyes at 15 days (affected eye: 45.6 ± 1.5 D, nonaffected eye: 45.0 ± 1.4 D, P = 0.008), 3 months (affected eye: 45.6 ± 1.8 D, nonaffected eye: 45.1 ± 1.3 D, P = 0.03) and 4 months (affected eye: 45.8 ± 1.2 D, nonaffected eye: 45.1 ± 1.4 D, P = 0.003) after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in steep K, and especially in astigmatism values, between eyes tended to reduce during the period of action of BTX-A. At 4 months, when the BTX-A effect is considered to be over or very reduced, a significant difference between eyes for both parameters was noted again.

Emerging Treatments for Neuropathic Pain.

Neuropathic pain is a series of well-known conditions caused by diseases or lesions to the somatosensory system. Due to the better understanding of the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain, previously unexplored therapies have been used with encouraging results. As such, Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), Alpha-lipoic-acid (ALA), cannabinoids, Clonidine, EMA401, Botulinum Toxin type A, and new voltage-gated sodium channel blockers, can be cited. Furthermore, new modalities in neuromodulation such as high-frequency spinal cord stimulation, burst stimulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and many others have been showing exciting results. Besides, changing paradigms may occur with the advent of optogenetics and a better understanding of epigenetic regulation. This article reviews the published literature on the treatment of NP. Despite the interesting results, randomized controlled trials are demanded for the majority of the therapies previously mentioned.

OnabotulinumtoxinA for trigeminal neuralgia: a review of the available data / Toxina Onabotulínica-A para neuralgia do trigêmeo: uma revisão dos dados disponíveis

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients may develop side effects from centrally acting drugs, have contraindications for neurosurgical procedures, or experience relapse during conventional therapies. OnabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT/A) has been reported to be effective for TN, although this finding has been challenged. An overview of the available evidence based on a narrative/qualitative analysis of the literature is presented. About 90% of patients who receive BoNT/A show an improvement, a higher figure than that reported for the placebo effect of BoNT/A for other headaches. Tolerability of BoNT/A is good, and its few side-effects are transient. The articles reviewed were mainly case reports, case series and open-label trials; however, randomized controlled trials have endorsed the efficacy of BoNT/A for TN. This evidence, together with a better understanding of the analgesic mechanisms of BoNT/A and its proven efficacy in treating other pain syndromes, supports the use of this toxin as a therapeutic option for TN.

Pacientes com neuralgia do trigêmeo (NT) podem apresentar efeitos colaterais decorrentes do uso de drogas psicoativas, contra-indicações a procedimentos neurocirúrgicos ou perda da eficácia destas terapias. A neurotoxina botulínica do tipo A (NTB/A) tem demonstrado ser eficaz no alívio da NT, ainda que este achado tenha sido contestado. Uma análise narrativa/qualitativa da literatura disponível é apresentada. Cerca de 90% dos pacientes que receberam NTB/A melhoram, um número superior aos atribuíveis ao efeito placebo da NTB/A em outras cefaléias. Além disso, a NTB/A mostrou uma baixa incidência de efeitos colaterais, transitórios. Embora a maioria dos artigos consistam de relatos de caso, séries de casos e ensaios abertos, ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados recentes reafirmam a eficácia da NTB/A na NT. Estas evidências, associadas ao melhor entendimento dos mecanismos analgésicos da NTB/A e a sua eficácia em outras síndromes dolorosas, ratificam a NTB/A como uma opção terapêutica para a NT.

OnabotulinumtoxinA for trigeminal neuralgia: a review of the available data.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients may develop side effects from centrally acting drugs, have contraindications for neurosurgical procedures, or experience relapse during conventional therapies. OnabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT/A) has been reported to be effective for TN, although this finding has been challenged. An overview of the available evidence based on a narrative/qualitative analysis of the literature is presented. About 90% of patients who receive BoNT/A show an improvement, a higher figure than that reported for the placebo effect of BoNT/A for other headaches. Tolerability of BoNT/A is good, and its few side-effects are transient. The articles reviewed were mainly case reports, case series and open-label trials; however, randomized controlled trials have endorsed the efficacy of BoNT/A for TN. This evidence, together with a better understanding of the analgesic mechanisms of BoNT/A and its proven efficacy in treating other pain syndromes, supports the use of this toxin as a therapeutic option for TN.

Use of onabotulinumtoxinA in post-traumatic oromandibular dystonia.

PURPOSE: Post-traumatic oromandibular dystonia (PTOD) is a disorder whose symptoms can include bruxism, muscle pain, and involuntary muscle contraction, among others. The use of onabotulinumtoxinA (ObT-A) is helpful in controlling the symptoms of patients with PTOD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ObT-A in the treatment of PTOD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective case-series study, the population consisted exclusively of patients diagnosed with PTOD, without distinction by age or gender, from January 2007 to December 2010. The patients were diagnosed with PTOD and treated with ObT-A infiltration (primary predictor) at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the Hospital Clínico Mutual de Seguridad (Santiago, Chile). The primary outcome variables were bruxism, muscle pain, and involuntary muscle contraction. The data were obtained through questionnaires registered in tables at each control. Systat 13.1 was used for statistical analysis. The statistical test used to compare patients' evolution over time was the test of signs. RESULTS: Thirty male patients 18 to 65 years old diagnosed with PTOD were treated with ObT-A infiltrations. The signs and symptoms associated with oromandibular dystonia (bruxism, muscle pain, and involuntary muscle contraction) were decreased in all patients after ObT-A infiltrations. CONCLUSIONS: The positive results and the absence of complications recommend the use of the infiltration protocol presented in this study for the treatment of PTOD.

The use of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of HTLV-1-associated overactive bladder refractory to conventional therapy.

Urinary symptoms occur in 19% of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected patients who do not fulfill criteria for HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and in almost 100% of HAM/TSP patients. Few studies have evaluated therapies for overactive bladder (OAB) caused by HTLV-1 infection. This case report describes the effect of onabotulinum toxin A on the urinary manifestations of three patients with HAM/TSP and OAB symptoms. The patients were intravesically administered 200 units of Botox®. Their incontinence episodes improved, and their OAB symptoms scores (OABSS) reduced significantly. These data indicate that Botox® should be a treatment option for OAB associated with HTLV-1 infection.

The use of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of HTLV-1-associated overactive bladder refractory to conventional therapy

Urinary symptoms occur in 19% of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected patients who do not fulfill criteria for HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and in almost 100% of HAM/TSP patients. Few studies have evaluated therapies for overactive bladder (OAB) caused by HTLV-1 infection. This case report describes the effect of onabotulinum toxin A on the urinary manifestations of three patients with HAM/TSP and OAB symptoms. The patients were intravesically administered 200 units of Botox®. Their incontinence episodes improved, and their OAB symptoms scores (OABSS) reduced significantly. These data indicate that Botox® should be a treatment option for OAB associated with HTLV-1 infection.