Long-term botulinum toxin treatment increases employment rate in patients with cervical dystonia.
We examined the impact of cervical dystonia (CD) and long-term botulinum toxin (BTX) treatment on employment status. Data on employment status at onset of CD, at initiation of BTX treatment, and at evaluation of long-term treatment were obtained from 62 CD patients aged 31-66 years (median, 53 years; 61% females) who had been treated for a median of 5 years (range, 1.5-10 years). The employment rate fell from 84% at the onset of CD to 47% before initiation of BTX treatment. With long-term BTX treatment, 72% of those who worked at the initiation of treatment stayed employed, and 67% of those on sick leave returned to work. A younger age and a higher level of education increased the probability of being employed and avoiding disability benefits. Among those who were younger than 55 years at evaluation of BTX treatment (n = 40), the employment rate increased from 47% to 65% with treatment, and among the male patients, it reached the level of the general population (86%). About half of the 34% who received disability benefits did so already before the BTX treatment was initiated.
Skogseid
Inger Marie
IM
University of Oslo, Department of Neurology, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. i.m.skogseid@klinmed.uio.no
Røislien
Jo
J
Claussen
Bjørgulf
B
Kerty
Emilia
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003710:Demography; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D014103:Torticollis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents; D001905:Botulinum Toxins