Aims and objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of active dose and dose per kilogram (kg) of body weight of levodopa on the occurrence of dyskinesia within a prevalent population of people with PD.
Methods: Of 106 prevalent cases, 75 (70.8%; 38 males, 37 females) agreed to assessment by a member of the research team. Demographic information, weight and height were recorded. Patients were assessed using a range of rating scales including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Patients were asked specifically: 'Do you have, or have you ever had, dyskinesia?'.
Results: Nine patients (12.0%) reported dyskinesia. Patient reported dyskinesia was significantly associated with greater years since diagnosis (r=0.309, p=0.007), higher levodopa equivalent dose (r=0.406, p<0.001) and levodopa equivalent dose per kg body weight (r=0.375, p<0.001). Using logistic regression, active levodopa dose, unadjusted for body weight, was an independent predictor of dyskinesia.
Conclusions: Adjusting levodopa dose for body weight did not increase its degree of correlation with patient reported dyskinesia.
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