Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term effectiveness of levodopa in PD patients. METHODS: The response to levodopa in PD patients undergoing a levodopa challenge for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery evaluation from June 1997 through March 2017 were evaluated. The patients were broken into four groups based on disease duration (Group I: 0- 5 years, Group II: 6- 10 years, Group III: 11- 15 years, and Group IV:≥16 years). Levodopa response was calculated based on the changes in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor and activities of daily living ( ADL) scores in the medication ON and OFF states. RESULTS: A total of 361 PD patients were included. The mean age in Group I was 59.4 years with a mean disease duration of 3.9 years (n = 29), Group II was 61 years with a mean disease duration of 8.1 years (n = 131), Group III was 64 years with a mean disease duration of 12.8 years (n = 143), and IV was 66.5 years with a mean disease duration of 18.5 years (n = 58). There was a significant improvement in UPDRS motor and ADL scores after the levodopa challenge for all groups. CONCLUSIONS: In a subgroup of PD patients who were evaluated for DBS surgery, there was a marked improvement in UPDRS motor and ADL scores which did not decrease with disease progression.
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Authors | Harsh V Gupta, Kelly E Lyons, Nathaniel Wachter, Rajesh Pahwa |
Journal | Journal of Parkinson's disease
(J Parkinsons Dis)
Vol. 9
Issue 3
Pg. 525-529
( 2019)
ISSN: 1877-718X [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 31205007
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antiparkinson Agents
- Levodopa
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Topics |
- Activities of Daily Living
- Aged
- Antiparkinson Agents
(pharmacology)
- Female
- Humans
- Levodopa
(pharmacology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Outcome Assessment, Health Care
- Parkinson Disease
(drug therapy)
- Severity of Illness Index
- Time Factors
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