[Experience with levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel in the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease in Hungary]

Ideggyogy Sz. 2014 Nov 30;67(11-12):385-9.
[Article in Hungarian]

Abstract

In the advanced Parkison's disease (PD) the late complications of levodopa therapy have to be considered: motor and/or non-motor fluctuations with or without disturbing dyskinesias. The non-motor fluctuations often influence the quality of life (QoL) in a much more negative way compared with the motor symptoms. In the treatment of advanced PD there are several device-aided methods - deep brain stimulation, apomorphine pump, levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) - to improve the symptoms, the QoL, sometimes even in an individual, tailored custom form. The LCIG therapy was introduced in Hungary in 2011. Here we summarize the data of our patients: we have tested almost 60 patients and in 43 cases we have started this treatment. We analyze the duration of illness, levodopa therapy, motor and non-motor fluctuation of patients and present our experiences with the test phase and the chronic LCIG therapy via PEG/PEJ implantation. We paid attention to the surgery and device - depending side effects. Our experiences are similar to the international data. In patients selection ,,the right treatment, to the right patient, in the right time" is of importance.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antiparkinson Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects
  • Carbidopa / administration & dosage*
  • Carbidopa / adverse effects
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / etiology
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Gels
  • Humans
  • Hungary
  • Intestines*
  • Levodopa / administration & dosage*
  • Levodopa / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Patient Selection
  • Quality of Life
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Gels
  • Levodopa
  • Carbidopa