SPASMODIC TORTICOLLIS - A MULTICENTER STU DY ON BEHAVIORAL-ASPECTS

Idiopathic spasmodic torticollis (IST) is one of the most frequent dys tonic movement disorders. Its classification as a focal dystonia, as w ell as its treatment with botulinum toxin resulted in groups of patien ts being regularly seen by neurologic specialists. In a multicentre st udy, we investigated psychosocial changes, coping and psychopathology, and their interrelations with signs, symptoms and course. 256 patient s were included in the study (59.3% women, 40.7% men). The mean age wa s 49.1 years. Rotating torticollis occurred more often than latero-ret rocollis and antero-retrocollis. A family history of IST was seen in 3 .1 % of the total sample, 34% of the patients had additional dystonic symptoms. Most frequently, these affected the upper extremities (13%), less often the legs. 19.1% of the patients had experienced a period o f complete remission. The General Symptom index of the SCL 90-R in 27% of the patients ranged above the double standard deviation of the nor mal controls, indicating a clinically significant psychopathology.