Is Botulinum Toxin Useful in Systemic Sclerosis Related Peripheral Vasculopathy? A Literature Review / ¿Es la toxina botulínica útil en la vasculopatía periférica de la esclerosis sistémica? Una revisión sistemática

Introduction: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), peripheral vasculopathy presents typically as Raynaud Phenomenon (RP) and Digital Ulceration (DU). Over the last decade, botulinum toxin (BT) has been reported effective in this scenario. Our goal was to review existing literature evaluating the efficacy of BT on RP/DU in SSc. Materials and methods: We performed a search in Pubmed with the MeSH terms “systemic sclerosis” and “botulinum toxin”. Original studies evaluating BT in the treatment of SSc-associated RP/DU were considered for inclusion. Results were screened by title, abstract and full-text. Results: We identified 30 results, of which 5 original papers were included: 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 2 case series and 1 case control study, from a total of 133 patients. Only one RCT showed negative results, with worse blood flow in treated arm, but with lower dose of BT. Despite this, all 5 included studies reported improvement of at least 1 RP/hand function outcome measure. Concerning DU healing, resolution of baseline DU at the end of follow-up was reported in 75–100% of the patients, with 1 RCT showing superiority over placebo. The only reported adverse effect was transient hand weakness, affecting only 0–16.7% of patients. BT injection protocols were highly heterogeneous. Conclusion: Despite conflicting results in 1 RCT, evidence points BT as an option in the treatment of SSc-related peripheral vasculopathy. However, future larger prospective trials are necessary to corroborate this hypothesis.(AU)

Introducción: En la esclerosis sistémica (ES), la vasculopatía periférica se presenta normalmente como fenómeno de Raynaud (FR) y ulceración digital (UD). En el último decenio se ha reportado la efectividad de la toxina botulínica (TB) en este escenario. Nuestro objetivo fue revisar la literatura existente que evalúa la eficacia de la TB en el FR/UD en la ES. Materiales y métodos: Realizamos una búsqueda en Pubmed con los términos MeSH «esclerosis sistémica» y «toxina botulínica». Se consideraron para inclusión los estudios originales que evaluaban la TB en el tratamiento del FR/UD asociados a ES. Se cribaron los resultados por título, resumen y texto completo. Resultados: Identificamos 30 resultados, de los cuales se incluyeron 5 documentos originales: 2 ensayos controlados aleatorizados (ECA), 2 series de casos y un estudio de control de caso, de un total de 133 pacientes. Únicamente un ECA reflejó resultados negativos con peor flujo sanguíneo en el brazo tratado, aunque con menor dosis de TB. A pesar de ello, los 5 estudios incluidos reportaron una mejora de al menos una medida del resultado FR/función de la mano. En cuanto a la sanación de la UD, la resolución de la UD basal al final del seguimiento se reportó en el 75-100% de los pacientes, y un ECA reflejó superioridad con respecto al placebo. El único efecto adverso reportado fue debilidad transitoria en la mano, que afectó únicamente al 0-16,7% de los pacientes. Los protocolos de inyección de la TB fueron altamente homogéneos. Conclusión: A pesar de los resultados conflictivos en un ECA, la evidencia apunta a la TB como opción para el tratamiento de la vasculopatía periférica asociada a la ES. Sin embargo, son necesarios ensayos prospectivos futuros más amplios para corroborar esta hipótesis.(AU)

Is Botulinum Toxin Useful in Systemic Sclerosis Related Peripheral Vasculopathy? A Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: In systemic sclerosis (SSc), peripheral vasculopathy presents typically as Raynaud Phenomenon (RP) and Digital Ulceration (DU). Over the last decade, botulinum toxin (BT) has been reported effective in this scenario. Our goal was to review existing literature evaluating the efficacy of BT on RP/DU in SSc. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a search in Pubmed with the MeSH terms "systemic sclerosis" and "botulinum toxin". Original studies evaluating BT in the treatment of SSc-associated RP/DU were considered for inclusion. Results were screened by title, abstract and full-text. RESULTS: We identified 30 results, of which 5 original papers were included: 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 2 case series and 1 case control study, from a total of 133 patients. Only one RCT showed negative results, with worse blood flow in treated arm, but with lower dose of BT. Despite this, all 5 included studies reported improvement of at least 1 RP/hand function outcome measure. Concerning DU healing, resolution of baseline DU at the end of follow-up was reported in 75-100% of the patients, with 1 RCT showing superiority over placebo. The only reported adverse effect was transient hand weakness, affecting only 0-16.7% of patients. BT injection protocols were highly heterogeneous. CONCLUSION: Despite conflicting results in 1 RCT, evidence points BT as an option in the treatment of SSc-related peripheral vasculopathy. However, future larger prospective trials are necessary to corroborate this hypothesis.