[Dynamics of quality-of-life in patients with torticollis treated with botulinum toxin A].

Parameters of quality of life (QOL) measured with the SF-36 questionnaire were studied in 91 patients with torticollis (ST) treated with botulinum toxin A. A control group comprised 50 subjects without ST. The QOL parameters were lower in patients compared to controls. Effects of age, education and illness severity on QOL were found. The illness duration was inversely correlated with QOL parameters. Disabled patients with ST had lower scores on the psychological domain that indicated the poor social adjustment, higher levels of anxiety and depression in this group. The treatment with botulinum toxin A allows to improve significantly QOL in patients with ST and exerts a positive effect on all QOL parameters, with the best improvement on the physical domain after the first injection and psychological domain after the following ones.