Assessment of Depression and Anxiety After Botulinum Toxin Injection Treatment in Patients with Hemifacial Spasm and Blepharospasm

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between depression and anxiety due to the current clinical situation, disease duration and age, and the change in post-treatment parameters in patients with hemifacial spasm (HS) and blepharospasm (BS) receiving botulinum toxin therapy (BTT). Materials and methods: 125 hemifacial spasm patients, 14 blepharospasm patients and 70 healthy volunteers were included in the study as control group. Beck depression and Beck anxiety scales were applied to the patient and control groups. The test was repeated in the patient group 4 weeks after BTT treatment. Results: The Beck anxiety and Beck depression scale scores of the case group were higher before treatment compared to the control group. Beck anxiety and Beck depression scores decreased after treatment in both HS and BS patients. Among the groups, the post-treatment Beck Anxiety score in the blepharospasm group was statistically significantly lower than in the hemifacial spasm group. The depression scale score increased with increasing disease duration in the case group. Anxiety and depression scores were lower in older patients. Beck depression and Beck anxiety scores of the patients improved with BTT treatment. Conclusion: Since HS and BS cause physical problems in the facial muscles, it also negatively affects the functional status and emotional state of the patients. This disease is often accompanied by anxiety and/or depression. After CT treatment, functional muscle problems are corrected in HS and BS patients, providing positive effects on mood as well as the treatment of the disease and correcting the anxiety and depression findings related to the disease.