Efficacy of botulinum toxin B injection for Raynaud’s phenomenon and digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis

Abstract

The efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin B (BTX-B) for treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon and digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis was assessed. A total of 45 patients with systemic sclerosis who had Raynaud’s phenomenon were blinded and divided randomly into 4 groups: a no-treatment control group, and 3 treatment groups, using 250, 1,000 or 2,000 international units (U) of BTX-B injections in the hand with more severe symptoms. Four weeks after injection, pain/numbness visual analogue scale scores and Raynaud’s score in the groups treated with 1,000 and 2,000 U BTX-B were significantly lower than in the control group and the group treated with 250 U BTX-B. These beneficial effects were sustained until 16 weeks after the single injection. At 4 weeks after injection skin temperature recovery in the group treated with 2,000 U BTX-B was significantly improved. The numbers of digital ulcers in the groups treated with 1,000 and 2,000 U BTX-B were significantly lower than in the control group. In conclusion, 1,000 and 2,000 U BTXB injections significantly suppressed the activity of Raynaud’s phenomenon and digital ulcers in patients with SSc without serious adverse events.