We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Duodenal Levodopa Infusion Improves Quality of Life in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease.
- Authors
Antonini, A.; Mancini, F.; Canesi, M.; Zangaglia, R.; Isaias, I. U.; Manfredi, L.; Pacchetti, C.; Zibetti, M.; Natuzzi, F.; Lopiano, L.; Nappi, G.; Pezzoli, G.
- Abstract
Background: A significant percentage of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) continue to experience motor fluctuations and dyskinesias despite the association of dopamine agonists and levodopa with COMT or MAO-B inhibitors. The use of apomorphine infusion is limited by compliance while deep brain stimulation is feasible only for a small number of patients mostly because of age constraints. Objective: To assess prospectively the effectiveness of duodenal levodopa infusion on quality of life as well as motor features in patients with advanced PD. In all but 1 case levodopa infusion was stopped at nighttime. Methods: We report the outcome of 22 PD patients, followed for up to 2 years, who were on continuous duodenal levodopa/carbidopa infusion through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Results: We found a significant reduction in ‘off’ period duration as well as dyskinesia severity (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part IV, items 33 and 39). There was significant improvement in the 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire as well as in the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part II up to the 2-year follow-up. Five patients withdrew: 2 for poor compliance and 3 for adverse events (1 was related to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy). Conclusions: These results demonstrate significant clinical improvements in quality of life and activities of daily living consistent with the occurrence of a satisfactory therapeutic response and a reduction in dyskinesia severity. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
- Subjects
PARKINSON'S disease; DOPA; MOVEMENT disorders; APOMORPHINE; BRAIN function localization; QUALITY of life
- Publication
Neurodegenerative Diseases, 2008, Vol 5, Issue 3/4, p244
- ISSN
1660-2854
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1159/000113714