Underutilization of Injectable Parkinson's Disease Medication: An Analysis of Neurologist and Patient Perspectives.

Background: We hypothesized that many neurologists underestimate patients' willingness to self-administer injectable Parkinson's disease (PD) medication.

Objective: To evaluate patient and physician perceptions contributing to underutilization of PD medications for acute OFF episodes.

Analytic method: Data were collected using an online survey including n = 4063 PD patients experiencing OFF episodes and n = 200 neurologists.

Results: 89% of patients were willing to self-inject rescue therapies to treat acute OFF episodes. After reviewing patient survey data, 54% of general neurologists and 37% of movement disorder specialist (MDS) demonstrated a change in perceptions about patients' willingness to use self-injected therapies (P < 0.05). 37% of general neurologists and 21% of MDS indicated a greater likelihood of prescribing these treatments (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Most patients suffering from OFF episodes would be willing to self-inject to abort their symptoms. Neurologists underestimate this patient acceptance. Understanding patient attitudes and further education about rescue therapies is likely to increase use of these therapies.