Postmenopausal craniofacial hyperhidrosis treated with botulinum toxin type B.

Hyperhidrosis can seriously impair patients' quality of life. Medical history, including heredity and hyperhidrosis during youth, as well as current age and time elapsed since menopause, is important to consider when distinguishing between postmenopausal hyperhidrosis and vasomotor symptoms to enable adequate treatment. This report concerns a subgroup of eight postmenopausal patients participating in a randomized controlled trial regarding botulinum toxin (Btx) type B treatment in craniofacial hyperhidrosis. Even though the sample size is small and the enrolment is not yet completed, the promising data collected hitherto are interesting to present in advance because this subtype of craniofacial hyperhidrosis is often underrecognized and challenging to treat. Patients were randomized to receive Btx type B or placebo. Measurements were performed before treatment and 3 ± 1 weeks after. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score was improved for all patients after Btx type B treatment (n = 3) with a median decrease of 9 points (90% median improvement). The placebo group (n = 5) had a median increase of 2 points (-18% median decline). When the same group (n = 5) received Btx type B (open) the DLQI score decreased with a median of 7 points compared with baseline (91% median improvement). Treatment-related adverse events were temporary and did not prevent improvement of life quality. Furthermore, background data evaluation uncovered interesting findings regarding vasomotor symptoms in relation to postmenopausal hyperhidrosis. In conclusion, the results indicated that Btx type B seems to be a safe and effective treatment in postmenopausal craniofacial hyperhidrosis. Further research is encouraged.

Hyperhidrosis Substantially Reduces Quality of Life in Children: A Retrospective Study Describing Symptoms, Consequences and Treatment with Botulinum Toxin.

Studies on children with hyperhidrosis are sparse. This retrospective study presents clinical data and quality of life, along with treatment effect and safety of botulinum toxin (BTX). Case reports from 366 children were included to capture the medical history of hyperhidrosis. The total median score of the Dermatology Life Quality Index before treatment was 11 for children aged 16-17 years and 12 for children younger than 16 years. The children described physical, psychosocial and consequence-related symptoms. More than 70% had multifocal hyperhidrosis. BTX-A and/or BTX-B were given to 323 children, 193 of whom received repeated treatments. The highest score in a 5-grade scale concerning treatment effect was reported by 176/193 children, i.e. their "sweating disappeared completely". No severe adverse events occurred. Focal and multifocal hyperhidrosis in children reduces quality of life considerably. Treatment with BTX-A and/or BTX-B has been performed with success.

[Hyperhidrosis is a silent handicap]. / Hyperhidrose er et tavst handicap.

Hyperhidrosis affects 2.8% of the population and has severe negative influence on life quality. The disease is represented in many specialties but can unfortunately be incorrectly treated or not treated at all. Primary hyperhidrosis is the most common form. Secondary hyperhidrosis is most often excluded by a few anamnestic data. Botulinum toxin and anticholinergics are adequate treatment options when aluminium chloride is insufficient. This article describes the disease from the physician's as well as the patient's perspective. Furthermore, examination procedures and treatment procedures are presented.

A Comparison of Botox 100 U/mL and Dysport 100 U/mL Using Dose Conversion Ratio 1: 3 and 1: 1.7 in the Treatment of Cervical Dystonia: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Crossover Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin (BTX) are used as symptomatic treatment for cervical dystonia. Botox and Dysport are commercial products containing BTX; however, dosage and concentration of the prepared solution vary considerably among studies. The concentration of BTX in the prepared solution affects clinical outcome. This double-blind, randomized crossover trial compares Botox and Dysport in 2 different dose conversion ratios (1:3 and 1:1.7) when diluted to the same concentration (100 U/mL). METHODS: Forty-six patients with cervical dystonia received 3 different treatments, Botox in 2 different doses and Dysport as control treatment. The efficacy was evaluated 4 and 12 weeks after treatment using 5 instruments, including Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The primary outcome was the estimated median Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale total score, which was 1.96 points higher for Botox (1:3) compared with Dysport at week 4, but the difference was not statistically significant (confidence interval, -0.88-4.61; P = 0.0799). No significant differences were seen between Botox (1:1.7) and Dysport. At week 12, a statistically significant difference in effect between Botox (1:3) and Dysport was observed, suggesting a shorter duration of effect for Botox when this ratio (low dose) was used. Furthermore, the patients' assessments showed that the ratio 1:3 resulted in suboptimal efficacy of Botox. These secondary outcome observations indicate that the dose conversion ratio between Dysport 100 U/mL and Botox 100 U/mL may be lower than 1:3, but this must be further validated in a larger patient material.

Treatment of compensatory hyperhidrosis after sympathectomy with botulinum toxin and anticholinergics.

PURPOSE: Compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) is the most common adverse complication of sympathectomy. It often has a major negative impact on life quality. No efficient treatment of CH is available. We report nine cases of CH after sympathectomy, which were treated with botulinum toxin A/B (BTX) and anticholinergics. METHODS: The patients responded to a dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire before injections with BTX and 3 weeks after treatment. At the follow-up visit, the participants also ranked the effect of the treatment on a five-grade scale. Three patients had residual sweating after BTX treatment, and received additional anticholinergics at the follow-up visit. Those subjects eventually had a third evaluation with the DLQI. RESULTS: The DLQI score was, on average, 16.4 before treatment and decreased to 4.8 after BTX injections. Eight out of nine patients were satisfied with the treatment. The average DLQI score decreased to 2.2 when the patients with residual sweating (n = 3) received additional anticholinergics. Adverse events from BTX were mild and temporary, but dry mouth was substantial in one patient using anticholinergics. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of BTX A/B and anticholinergics alleviated the hyperhidrosis with minor side-effects. We consider this treatment safe, effective, and well tolerated.

Effect of botulinum toxin concentration on reduction in sweating: a randomized, double-blind study.

Dose-response studies of botulinum toxin for reduction of sweating are sparse in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine the most appropriate concentrations of Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin® and NeuroBloc®, respectively, in order to achieve the greatest reduction in sweating, thus reducing the costs and increasing the safety of treatment. Four concentrations of each product were investigated. Intradermal injections of all products and concentrations were applied to the backs of 20 consenting subjects, in a randomized, double-blind manner. Areas of anhidrotic and hypohidrotic skin were measured with an iodine-starch test after 4, 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. Optimal concentrations were found to be 25 U/ml for Botox and Xeomin, approximately 100 U/ml for Dysport, and 50 U/ml for NeuroBloc. When comparing the mean anhidrotic area per unit for 100 U/ml of each product, the calculated dose conversion ratios were 1:1.6:1.2:1.3 (Botox:Dysport:Xeomin:NeuroBloc). If, instead, the optimal concentration for each product was compared, the dose conversion ratios were 1:4.8:1.3:2.2. Thus, it is crucial to consider botulinum toxin concentration in a treatment regimen.

Clinical experience of dose conversion ratios between 2 botulinum toxin products in the treatment of cervical dystonia.

OBJECTIVES: The units of different botulinum toxin products are not identical, and the dose equivalence has been debated for several years. In the year 2000, our clinic changed the recommended botulinum toxin product from Botox to Dysport for the treatment of cervical dystonia. Based on published reports, where dose conversion ratios from 1:1 to 1:6 (Botox:Dysport) had been used, and our own clinical experience, the dose conversion ratio was set to 1:2. The objective of this study was to retrospectively monitor the used doses of each product and the subsequent clinical effect. METHODS: A retrospective study, using casebook notes from 75 patients, was done to investigate treatment doses, subjective clinical effect, and the appearance of adverse events. RESULTS: The median dose conversion ratio that had been used at the product switch was 1:2.3 (Botox:Dysport). After clinical adjustment, the ratio was 1:2.1 at the next 3 treatments. There was a tendency for a more effective treatment and more adverse events after the product switch. A follow-up was performed 6.5 years later using casebook notes from 53 of the same patients. By this time, the doses had been reduced, and the median dose conversion ratio had decreased to 1:1.7 (Botox:Dysport). The adverse events reported at this point were fewer for the patients treated. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the most appropriate dose conversion ratio to use when switching from Botox to Dysport was 1:1.7.

Bilateral forearm intravenous regional anesthesia with prilocaine for botulinum toxin treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin (BTX) requires effective anesthesia, but previous methods have not provided enough pain relief or have resulted in a prolonged impaired hand function. OBJECTIVE: This is a study of bilateral forearm intravenous regional anesthesia using prilocaine for BTX treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. METHODS: In all, 166 patients (100 female and 66 male) were treated bilaterally with intracutaneous BTX type A injections using intravenous regional anesthesia with prilocaine (5 mg/mL). In a subgroup of patients, forearm nerves were studied with neurophysiologic methods and blood concentrations of prilocaine were measured. Pain evaluation with a visual analog scale was accompanied with a questionnaire about the treatment. RESULTS: In all, 95% of the patients answering the questionnaire (response rate 89%) were satisfied with the anesthetic effect. No serious adverse events occurred. There was a fast recovery of motor function (in median 6 minutes) and sensory function (in median 20 minutes). No subclinical signs of sensory nerve damage were found. LIMITATIONS: Recall and reporting bias are potential sources of limitations in this study. CONCLUSION: Bilateral forearm intravenous regional anesthesia provides an effective and well-tolerated anesthesia during BTX treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

Equipotent concentrations of Botox and Dysport in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

There are indications that the dilution of botulinum toxin affects dose-response. This must be considered when comparing different products. The aim of this study was to estimate a concentration of Dysport in physiological saline that is approximately equivalent to Botox 100 U/ml with respect to anhidrotic and muscular effect. Thirty-six patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis were treated with multiple intradermal injections of 0.02 ml botulinum toxin. Botox(R) was injected in one hand and Dysport in the other in a random order. The concentrations of Dysport were 200 U/ml (n=18), 150 U/ml (n=11) and 100 U/ml (n=7). Muscular effect was measured as the reduction in compound muscle action potential in 3 muscles in the hand and anhidrotic effect was indicated by an iodine-starch test 4 weeks after treatment. Dysport at 200 U/ml was more potent than Botox at 100 U/ml with regard to both anhidrotic and muscular effect. The equipotent concentration of Dysport, compared with Botox 100 U/ml, was found to be in the range 100-150 U/ml.

Anhidrotic effect of intradermal injections of botulinum toxin: a comparison of different products and concentrations.

Botulinum toxin is used in various fields of medicine, including in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Three products containing botulinum toxin are commercially available in Sweden; Botox, Dysport and Neurobloc. In the literature dose-response has varied with respect to these 3 products. We hypothesized that the dilution level of botulinum toxin is of importance for the effect and we therefore investigated anhidrosis after intradermal injections of each product in 3 different concentrations. Nine healthy subjects received 0.1 ml injections in the back. The anhidrotic areas were identified by an iodine-starch test after 3 weeks. When the 3 products were diluted to 100 U/ml level the achieved mean anhidrotic areas were approximately the same. This is in strong contrast with the large dose conversion factors suggested for intramuscular injections of the products. Furthermore, the lowest used concentrations for Botox(R) (25 U/ml) and Neurobloc (100 U/ml) led to the largest anhidrotic mean area per unit, respectively. The optimal concentration in this study was 25 U/ml for Botox, 100 U/ml for Dysport and 100 U/ml for Neurobloc, but for Botox and Neurobloc the optimal concentrations may be even lower.