Shang-Ming Chiou1, Yu-Chin Lin2, Hsiang-Ming Huang3. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: tsmchiou@pchome.com.tw. 2. Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is widely accepted as a treatment for advanced Parkinson disease (PD). However, published studies were conducted mainly in Western centers and recruited small numbers of patients. This study presents 1-year outcomes in Taiwanese patients with PD. METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive patients underwent STN-DBS surgery during a 7-year period. Their median drug-off Hoehn and Yahr stage was 3 and mean illness history was 8 years. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the change in drug-off/DBS-on Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores relative to presurgical drug-off baseline and change in daily levodopa-equivalent dose (LED). RESULTS: After 1 year of DBS therapy, patients showed significant improvements with a clinically high effect size in cardinal signs, particularly in tremor (63%). Posture instability was also improved, whereas speech dysfunction was hardly corrected. The LED need was significantly reduced, therefore preoperative drug-induced complications were prominently (51%) ameliorated after surgery and drug-induced dyskinesia was remarkably (63%) diminished. No serious adverse effects were encountered after surgery. Overall, motor functions declined by 15% within 1 year in drug-off state. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral STN-DBS therapy provided effective and sustained benefits to Eastern patients with PD over a 1-year period.
BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is widely accepted as a treatment for advanced Parkinson disease (PD). However, published studies were conducted mainly in Western centers and recruited small numbers of patients. This study presents 1-year outcomes in Taiwanese patients with PD. METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive patients underwent STN-DBS surgery during a 7-year period. Their median drug-off Hoehn and Yahr stage was 3 and mean illness history was 8 years. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the change in drug-off/DBS-on Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores relative to presurgical drug-off baseline and change in daily levodopa-equivalent dose (LED). RESULTS: After 1 year of DBS therapy, patients showed significant improvements with a clinically high effect size in cardinal signs, particularly in tremor (63%). Posture instability was also improved, whereas speech dysfunction was hardly corrected. The LED need was significantly reduced, therefore preoperative drug-induced complications were prominently (51%) ameliorated after surgery and drug-induced dyskinesia was remarkably (63%) diminished. No serious adverse effects were encountered after surgery. Overall, motor functions declined by 15% within 1 year in drug-off state. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral STN-DBS therapy provided effective and sustained benefits to Eastern patients with PD over a 1-year period.