Abstract
Background: Late-stage Parkinson' disease (PD) is dominated by loss of autonomy due to motor and non-motor symptoms which can be marginally corrected by medications adjustments. However, controversy exists on the mechanisms underlying the apparent decrease of benefit from levodopa. Objective: To study the response to levodopa in late-stage PD (LSPD). Methods: 20 LSPD patients (Schwab and England ADL Scale 3 in MED ON) and 22 PD patients treated with subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) underwent an acute levodopa challenge test. MDS-UPDRS-III and the modified Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale were evaluated in off and after administration of a supra-maximal levodopa dose. Results: LSPD patients had a median age of 78.8 (IQR: 73.5-82) and median disease duration of 14 years (IQR: 10-19.75). DBS patients had a median age of 66 (IQR: 61-72) and median disease duration of 18 years (IQR: 15-22). LSPD and DBS patients' MDS-UPDRS-III score improved 11.3% and 37% after levodopa, respectively. Rest tremor showed the largest improvement, while axial signs did not improve in LSPD. However, the magnitude of levodopa response significantly correlated with dyskinesias severity in LSPD patients. One third of LSPD and 9% of DBS patients reported moderate drowsiness. Conclusions: LSPD patients show a slight response to a supra-maximal levodopa dose, which is greater if dyskinesia are present, but it is frequently associated with adverse effects. A decrease in levodopa response is a potential marker of disease progression in LSPD.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Parkinsonism and Related Disorders |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - Jan 7 2016 |
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Keywords
- Advanced stage
- Late stage
- Levodopa test
- Parkinson's disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Clinical Neurology
- Neurology
Cite this
Do patients with late-stage Parkinson's disease still respond to levodopa? / Fabbri, Margherita; Coelho, Miguel; Abreu, Daisy; Guedes, Leonor Correia; Rosa, Mario M.; Costa, Nilza; Antonini, Angelo; Ferreira, Joaquim J.
In: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, 07.01.2016.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Do patients with late-stage Parkinson's disease still respond to levodopa?
AU - Fabbri, Margherita
AU - Coelho, Miguel
AU - Abreu, Daisy
AU - Guedes, Leonor Correia
AU - Rosa, Mario M.
AU - Costa, Nilza
AU - Antonini, Angelo
AU - Ferreira, Joaquim J.
PY - 2016/1/7
Y1 - 2016/1/7
N2 - Background: Late-stage Parkinson' disease (PD) is dominated by loss of autonomy due to motor and non-motor symptoms which can be marginally corrected by medications adjustments. However, controversy exists on the mechanisms underlying the apparent decrease of benefit from levodopa. Objective: To study the response to levodopa in late-stage PD (LSPD). Methods: 20 LSPD patients (Schwab and England ADL Scale 3 in MED ON) and 22 PD patients treated with subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) underwent an acute levodopa challenge test. MDS-UPDRS-III and the modified Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale were evaluated in off and after administration of a supra-maximal levodopa dose. Results: LSPD patients had a median age of 78.8 (IQR: 73.5-82) and median disease duration of 14 years (IQR: 10-19.75). DBS patients had a median age of 66 (IQR: 61-72) and median disease duration of 18 years (IQR: 15-22). LSPD and DBS patients' MDS-UPDRS-III score improved 11.3% and 37% after levodopa, respectively. Rest tremor showed the largest improvement, while axial signs did not improve in LSPD. However, the magnitude of levodopa response significantly correlated with dyskinesias severity in LSPD patients. One third of LSPD and 9% of DBS patients reported moderate drowsiness. Conclusions: LSPD patients show a slight response to a supra-maximal levodopa dose, which is greater if dyskinesia are present, but it is frequently associated with adverse effects. A decrease in levodopa response is a potential marker of disease progression in LSPD.
AB - Background: Late-stage Parkinson' disease (PD) is dominated by loss of autonomy due to motor and non-motor symptoms which can be marginally corrected by medications adjustments. However, controversy exists on the mechanisms underlying the apparent decrease of benefit from levodopa. Objective: To study the response to levodopa in late-stage PD (LSPD). Methods: 20 LSPD patients (Schwab and England ADL Scale 3 in MED ON) and 22 PD patients treated with subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) underwent an acute levodopa challenge test. MDS-UPDRS-III and the modified Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale were evaluated in off and after administration of a supra-maximal levodopa dose. Results: LSPD patients had a median age of 78.8 (IQR: 73.5-82) and median disease duration of 14 years (IQR: 10-19.75). DBS patients had a median age of 66 (IQR: 61-72) and median disease duration of 18 years (IQR: 15-22). LSPD and DBS patients' MDS-UPDRS-III score improved 11.3% and 37% after levodopa, respectively. Rest tremor showed the largest improvement, while axial signs did not improve in LSPD. However, the magnitude of levodopa response significantly correlated with dyskinesias severity in LSPD patients. One third of LSPD and 9% of DBS patients reported moderate drowsiness. Conclusions: LSPD patients show a slight response to a supra-maximal levodopa dose, which is greater if dyskinesia are present, but it is frequently associated with adverse effects. A decrease in levodopa response is a potential marker of disease progression in LSPD.
KW - Advanced stage
KW - Late stage
KW - Levodopa test
KW - Parkinson's disease
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84960157889&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84960157889&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2016.02.021
DO - 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2016.02.021
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84960157889
JO - Parkinsonism and Related Disorders
JF - Parkinsonism and Related Disorders
SN - 1353-8020
ER -