A Structured Interview Evaluating Botulinum Toxin Type A Treatments for blepharospasm (P4.328)

OBJECTIVE: Conduct a survey to address patient satisfaction with botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) for blepharospasm in United States. BACKGROUND: Studies have reported the efficacy and safety of BoNT/A treatment for blepharospasm. DESIGN/METHODS: Patients treated for blepharospasm with at least 2 complete cycles of BoNT/A submitted to a 30 minute interview prior to treatment. The survey addressed demographics, baseline characteristics, BoNT/A treatment such as intervals between BoNT/A injections, physician rationale for injection interval, patient satisfaction and preference of injection interval, Blepharospasm Disability Index (BDI) and Jankovic Rating Scale (JRS). RESULTS: 114 (70.2[percnt] female, 28 to 80 years-old) patients were included in the final analysis. 68.4[percnt] of patients received onabotulinumtoxinA (mean dose 71.8 U), 30.7[percnt] received incobotulinumtoxinA (76.4 U) and 0.9[percnt] received abobotulinumtoxinA (100 U) for their previous injection. Patients received BoNT/A at mean intervals of 12.5 weeks. The top three reasons provided for the chosen intervals included: maintaining efficacy, standard procedure and insurance guidelines. 90.2[percnt] reported a maximum or strongest effect within 4 weeks and 67[percnt] reported a considerable decline in effect of BoNT/A between 8 and 12 weeks post-injection. Patients reported 6.2 current satisfaction and 8.8 satisfaction at maximum treatment effect, on a scale of 1 to 10. 64.8[percnt] of patients preferred to have their next injection between 8 and 12 weeks. BSDI and JRS scores at maximum effect were better than on day of interview. CONCLUSIONS: Patients showed most satisfaction at maximum effect and preferred injection intervals less than the standard 12 weeks. JRS and BSDI results indicated patients continued to have symptoms. Studies are warranted to confirm the time course of patient satisfaction and determine optimal dosing interval. Study Supported by: Merz North America, Inc. Disclosure: Dr. Sethi has received personal compensation for activities with Synosia, Lundbeck Research USA, Inc., Auspex Pharmaceuticals, Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Impax Laboratories, Teva Neuroscience, and US WorldMeds as a consultant and/or Dr. Fezza has received personal compensation for activities with Merz North America, Inc. as a consultant. Dr. Burns has received personal compensation for activities with Merz North America as a consultant. Dr. Woodward has received personal compensation for activities with Merz Pharma as a consultant and/or speaker. Dr. Truong has received personal compensation for activities with Ipsen, Allergan, Inc., Schering-Plough, and Novartis as a consultant. Dr. Hedges has nothing to disclose. Dr. Taupin has received personal compensation for activities with Merz Pharma as an employee. Dr. Verma has received personal compensation for activities with Merz Pharma as an employee.