Dynamics of levodopa-therapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease afterunilateral pallidotomy

Abstract

Objective — to investigate the dynamics of levodopa-therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) after unilateral stereotactic radiofrequency pallidotomy (USRP). Materials and methods. From 2008 to 2016 USRP was performed in 16 patients (7 men and 9 women from 48 to 73 years old, average — 56 years) with PD complicated by levodopa-induced dyskinesias and motor fluctuations (MF). The dynamics of the disease symptoms was interpreted on the basis of separate sections and points of the UPDRS. The levodopa-equivalent dose (LED) was calculated using standard conventers. Patients were evaluated before, one week and then one year after surgery. Results. One week after the USRP 43.2 % reduction of average daily LED was noted. The decrease of severity of MF and motor symptoms of the OFF-period on the contralateral side was traced. After 1 year of follow up the rate of reduction decline of the average daily LED compared to its preoperative level was 22.3 %. The recurrence of the MF and the steady positive effects on the motor symptoms of the OFF-period on the contralateral side were observed. Conclusions. Primary reduction of the daily LED effects of USRP decrease during one year of observation in the background of the MF recurrence, despite the steady positive effects on the motor symptoms of the OFF-period on the contralateral side.