Utility of botulinum toxin in Parkinson’s disease beyond sialorrhea

Symptoms treatable with botulinum toxins besides tremor and sialorrhea are blepharospasm, eyelid opening apraxia, dystonia, and urinary dysfunction. For some of these indications level A evidence has already been obtained. In further indications Dr Fernando Pagan (Georgetown University Hospital, USA) suggested more trials to obtain level A evidence.

Further symptoms in Parkinson's disease, requiring clinical trials to establish level A evidence with botulinum toxins are constipation, laryngeal dystonia, freezing of gait, camptocormia, and oral mandibular dystonia, he emphasised.

Blepharospasm & eyelid apraxia

In blepharospasms and eyelid apraxia, more common in advanced states of the disease and in atypical Parkinsonism, botulinum toxins are recommended as first-line treatment: onabotulinum and incobotulinum toxin A have level A evidence, abobotulinum toxin A has level B evidence, and rimabotulinum toxin B has level U evidence.

Achalasia, Barrett’s oesophagus

Dysphagia is also a well-recognised problem in patients with Parkinson's disease. Numerous theories for its aetiology exist, including abnormal neck posture, achalasia, impairment of motor nucleus of Vagus, Lewy bodies in myenteric plexus oesophagus, as well as Barrett’s oesophagus. A total of 36% of symptomatic Parkinson patients are affected. In asymptomatic Parkinson's disease, 15-20% of the patients suffer from dysphagia. Oral and pharyngeal phases are prolonged and multiple attempts to swallow occur. Dr Pagan was convinced that Barrett's oesophagus as well as achalasia are both areas where botulinum toxin could be directly injected into the oesophagus with effects lasting for about 6 months depending on the patient.

Cervical dystonia - level A evidence for all botulinum toxins

Neck and shoulder pain is present in up to 70% of the patients with Parkinson's disease. Dr Pagan pointed out that painful dystonia in Parkinson's disease may affect various areas of the body. Parkinson patients may suffer, for example, from cervical dystonia which can be easily missed. Anterocollis is the most common pattern of cervical dystonia in Parkinsonism, he explained. In cervical dystonia, Dr Pagan emphasised that all botulinum toxins have level A evidence for treatment.

Limb dystonia - unmet need

Patients may also be affected by limb dystonia, which manifests as upper limb dystonia in hand, arm, or shoulder. When lower limbs are affected, toe cramping, foot inversion, and toe extension in 10% of the patients may be observed. Dr Pagan pointed out that for limb dystonia in Parkinson's disease, botulinum toxins do not have level A evidence for treatment, but they improve quality of life for the patients. Further studies are needed, he urged, because an FDA indication is desperately needed.

Overactive bladder - level A evidence

Bladder dysfunction is also common in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Nocturia has been reported in up to 60% of the patients. In Parkinson's disease, detrusor overactivity is the main reason for this problem. Dr Pagan pointed out that botulinum toxin therapy (level A evidence) has shown to increase capacity and improve urgency.



Posted on 15 March 201917 May 2024