Patient-reported benefit from botulinum toxin treatment for essential blepharospasm: using 2 assessment scales.

Purpose: To assess and compare the change in quality-of-life and function following treatment with botulinum toxin (BTX) using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and Blepharospasm Disability Index (BSDI) scores. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 62 consecutive patients treated with BTX for blepharospasm conducted during a postinterventional telephone interview. Post hoc analysis converts the GBI to a score from -100 (maximum harm) through 0 (no effect) to +100 (maximum benefit). The BSDI is converted to a score on a scale from -4 (maximum harm) through 0 (no effect) to +4 (maximum benefit). A Wilcoxon signed-rank test and linear regression analysis were performed. Results: A statistically significant benefit (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) from treatment of 31.36 (95% confidence interval = 26.22-36.50; p < 0.001) and 1.04 (95% confidence interval = 0.80-1.27; p < 0.001) using the GBI and BSDI scores, respectively. Regression analysis was performed demonstrating a strong positive correlation between both scales (r = 0.637). Conclusions: BTX treatment for blepharospasm is associated with significant patient-reported improvements in quality-of-life (GBI) and functional ability (BSDI) with a strong positive correlation between both scores.