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Benign essential blepharospasm: risk factors with reference to hemifacial spasm
Tyler A Hall1, Gerald McGwin, Karen Searcey
1Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0009, USA.
Summary
Generalized anxiety disorder is a significant risk factor for benign essential blepharospasm (BEB), unlike hemifacial spasm (HFS). Anxiety appears to cause BEB, not result from it.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) present similar physical symptoms but have distinct etiologies.
- Identifying risk factors for BEB is crucial for understanding its pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the risk factors associated with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and hemifacial spasm (HFS).
- To determine if psychological factors, such as anxiety, are linked to the development of BEB.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 159 patients with BEB and 91 patients with HFS.
- Data collection included chart reviews and telephonic surveys assessing demographic, medical, behavioral, and psychological characteristics.
Main Results:
- The average age of patients in both groups was 66 years, with a majority being retired, white, and female.
- BEB patients were over twice as likely to meet criteria for generalized anxiety disorder compared to HFS patients (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.22-3.72).
- No significant differences were found between groups regarding demographics, smoking, family history of neurological disorders, head trauma, alcohol, or caffeine consumption.
Conclusions:
- Generalized anxiety disorder is a significant risk factor for BEB, more so than for HFS.
- Anxiety is suggested to be a causative factor, rather than a consequence, of BEB.
- BEB was not associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, head trauma, Parkinson disease, Bell palsy, Tourette disorder, or lack of smoking, contrary to some previous findings.