In a nutshell
This study investigated the association between levodopa treatment and time to dyskinesia (DYS) development in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Researchers suggested that a quick increase in levodopa dose is associated with early DYS.
Some background
PD is a chronic disorder that affects the brain cells. Body functions, which are controlled by brain cells, are lost and patients are left with symptoms such as tremors. Levodopa is the recommended treatment for PD. However, it is associated with long-term side effects, such as DYS. DYS consists of involuntary and uncontrolled movements such as tics or prolonged muscle jerks. Around 60% of patients with PD develop DYS within 5 years of levodopa therapy.
An increased dose of levodopa is among the risk factors for having DYS. The dose of levodopa usually increases with disease progression, with different rates of increase in different patients. Therefore, the levodopa increase rate which is associated with DYS needs to be assessed.
Methods & findings
This study included information about 150 patients with de newly diagnosed PD. All participants were treated with levodopa until the development of DYS. The levodopa dose was assessed at 6 months of treatment. The increase rate was recorded from 6 months of treatment to the development of DYS.
The participants who experienced DYS earlier during the disease course received higher levodopa doses at 6 months. The risk factors for early DYS were female sex, severe physical symptoms at the start of the treatment, and a higher rate of dose increase.
The bottom line
This study concluded that DYS development is associated with a quicker increase in levodopa doses in patients with PD.
The fine print
Patients who experienced DYS within 2 years from the start of the treatment were excluded from the study. Therefore, it is unclear if increased doses of levodopa affect patients with very early DYS. Moreover, this study was based on medical records and information might be missing. Further studies are necessary.
Published By :
PLOS ONE
Date :
Aug 21, 2020
