Gender differences in benign essential blepharospasm

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012 May-Jun;28(3):169-70. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0b013e318244a380.

Abstract

Purpose: Detection of differences in disease characteristics between male and female patients with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of 32 male and 61 female BEB patients, comparing the time interval between treatments with botulinum toxin A. We prospectively compared BEB-related questionnaire results between 36 female and 15 male patients.

Results: The mean interval between treatment in weeks was 16.69 for men and 17.31 for women (p = 0.19). The questionnaire results showed a higher degree of symptom severity and frequency in women over men. (p = 0.008), but similar responses for disease-related handicap in daily activities.

Conclusions: Aside from greater symptom severity and frequency among women, we found no significant differences between male and female patients with BEB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blepharospasm / diagnosis*
  • Blepharospasm / drug therapy
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Factors*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A

Supplementary concepts

  • Benign essential blepharospasm