Evaluation of the quality of life in patients with segmental dystonia

Segmental dystonia is an abnormal movement, characterized by involuntary, sustained and repetitive muscular contractions, causing twisting and abnormal posturing of two or more adjacent body parts. It is not a life-reducing condition, but it deteriorates physical, mental and social functioning. The aim of the study was to define the basic demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with segmental dystonia and to estimate their quality of life.

The study included patients treated at the Clinic for Neurology--Clinical Center of Serbia (Department for Involuntary Movements). The patients with idiopathic segmental dystonia fulfilled the following questionnaires: general questionnaire, standard questionnaire for estimation of the quality of life SF 36, a list of questionnaires related to disease, and social participation scales. Statistical analysis involving the methods of descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis was used for predictive values of the characteristics.

The study included 28 patients with segmental dystonia, the mean age of 53.1 +/- 15.8 years. Analysis of SF 36 questionnaire item domains showed that patients with segmental dystonia had the lowest score in the domain of body pain (30.6 +/- 28.2) and the highest in the domain of physical function (73.6 +/- 19.6). Higher values of the scale of the disease severity (beta = -0.526, 95% CI -4.719, -0.996; p = 0.0004) and Hamilton depression scale (beta = -0.498, 95% CI -1.295, -0.227; p = 0.0007) were more significant predictors of low quality of life. Higher value of the Leisure activities scale (beta = 0.611, 95% CI 0.242, 0.772; p = 0.001) was a significant predictor of better quality of life.

The most important predictors of low quality of life in patients with segmental dystonia were disease severity, low acceptance of illness, depression and low self-esteem.