Back to Search Start Over

Motor and non-motor outcomes of continuous apomorphine infusion in 125 Parkinson's disease patients.

Authors :
Borgemeester, Robbert W.K.
Drent, Martje
van Laar, Teus
Source :
Parkinsonism & Related Disorders. Feb2016, Vol. 23, p17-22. 6p.
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

<bold>Introduction: </bold>Continuous apomorphine infusion (CAI) is an effective treatment in fluctuating Parkinson's disease (PD). However, long-term efficacy and safety data of CAI are scarce.<bold>Methods: </bold>We retrospectively reviewed long-term outcomes of CAI on motor and non-motor symptoms in a Dutch cohort of 125 PD patients.<bold>Results: </bold>Our cohort (age: 65.8 ± 9.8 years, disease duration: 11.9 ± 5.7 years) had a mean daily dose of apomorphine of 66 ± 30 mg, thereby reducing the levodopa-equivalent daily dose (LEDD) by 20%. The mean duration of treatment with apomorphine was 32.3 ± 31.9 months, ranging up to 139 months. Three-quarters of patients discontinued within the first four years. The main reason for discontinuation was a decreasing therapeutic effect. Patients who stopped apomorphine within four years had a lower LEDD reduction at hospital discharge and at last follow-up compared to patients who continued for a longer period. CAI showed good effects on motor fluctuations and dyskinesia, with better outcomes in patients with more pronounced LEDD reduction. CAI could be safely applied in patients with pre-existing visual hallucinations (30%).<bold>Conclusion: </bold>CAI showed beneficial effects on motor and several non-motor symptoms, whereas the magnitude of LEDD reduction seems to be a positive predictive factor on the duration of CAI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
13538020
Volume :
23
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Parkinsonism & Related Disorders
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
112630220
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.11.013