Predictors of alcohol responsiveness in dystonia

Objective: To determine predictors of alcohol responsiveness in a large cohort of dystonia patients. Methods: 2159 participants with dystonia were prospectively enrolled in the cross-sectional Dystonia Coalition multicenter study. Patients with secondary, combined or confirmed genetic dystonia (total n=164) or unknown alcohol responsiveness (n= 737) were excluded. Patients answered a standardized questionnaire and were clinically examined using a standardized video protocol and the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale. Alcohol responsiveness was determined by patients’ self-report. Results: 1258 patients with isolated dystonia (mean age: 59.5±12.2 years, female n=898) met the inclusion criteria; 369 patients (29.3%) reported improvement of dystonia after alcohol consumption. Alcohol responsiveness was not related to sex (p = .742), age (p = .715) or severity of dystonia (p = .623). Age at onset was lower in patients who responded to alcohol (p < .001). Alcohol responsiveness diff...