[Comparison of Botox and a Chinese type a botulinum toxin in cervical dystonia]

To confirm and compare the therapeutic efficacy of a Chinese type A botulinum toxin (CBTX-A, made by Lanzhou Biological Products Institute) and Botox (from Allergan Inc.) for cervical dystonia.

Prospective open study over 3 years for cervical dystonia was analyzed. We treated 113 patients with medically intractable cervical dystonia in two groups during 1993-1996, 32 patients with Botox and 81 with CBTX-A, with the age, durations and severity (Tsui's scale) matched. Some patients were injected under EMG guidance if necessary. The patients enrolled were followed up for 6-42 months.

Considerable improvement of symptoms for the CD patients was observed with either Botox or CBTX-A. The Tsui scores showed a significant reduction after BTX-A injections. There were no significant differences in the clinical effects of two preparations, including the latency of response, maximal benefit, and duration of improvement. The patients' subjective assessments were similar. But the requested dose of Chinese preparation which produced the similar effects was statistically higher than that of Botox. Skin rash appeared within a few days after injections in 3 cases of CBTX-A group, but no one in Botox group. No statistical differences were noted in the other adverse reaction between them.

The injections of two kinds of preparation both were simple and effective for the patients with cervical dystonia. Chinese preparation is a little less powerful but much cheaper than Botox.