Ruth B Schneider1, Xiang Lu2, Kevin Biglan3, Michael P McDermott1,2. 1. Department of Neurology University of Rochester Rochester New York USA. 2. Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology University of Rochester Rochester New York USA. 3. Eli Lilly and Company Indianapolis Indiana USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The appropriate timing of dopaminergic treatment initiation in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains a matter of debate. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether earlier initiation of treatment was associated with less worsening of total UPDRS scores over 48 months. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of data from the CALM-PD (Comparison of the Agonist Pramipexole With Levodopa on Motor Complications of Parkinson's Disease) trial to examine the associations between years since diagnosis and 48-month changes in total and component UPDRS scores, Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Scale (PDQUALIF) score, and the EuroQol-5D visual analogue scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: There were no associations between years since PD diagnosis and 48-month changes in total UPDRS, component UPDRS scores, PDQUALIF score, or EuroQol-5D VAS score. CONCLUSION: Earlier treatment was not associated with improved long-term outcomes in this secondary analysis. Prospective studies are required to determine the appropriate timing of initiation of dopaminergic treatment to inform clinical practice.
BACKGROUND: The appropriate timing of dopaminergic treatment initiation in Parkinson's disease (PD) remains a matter of debate. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether earlier initiation of treatment was associated with less worsening of total UPDRS scores over 48 months. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of data from the CALM-PD (Comparison of the Agonist Pramipexole With Levodopa on Motor Complications of Parkinson's Disease) trial to examine the associations between years since diagnosis and 48-month changes in total and component UPDRS scores, Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Scale (PDQUALIF) score, and the EuroQol-5D visual analogue scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: There were no associations between years since PD diagnosis and 48-month changes in total UPDRS, component UPDRS scores, PDQUALIF score, or EuroQol-5D VAS score. CONCLUSION: Earlier treatment was not associated with improved long-term outcomes in this secondary analysis. Prospective studies are required to determine the appropriate timing of initiation of dopaminergic treatment to inform clinical practice.
Authors: Mickie Welsh; Michael P McDermott; Robert G Holloway; Sandy Plumb; Ronald Pfeiffer; Jean Hubble Journal: Mov Disord Date: 2003-06 Impact factor: 10.338
Authors: Ira Shoulson; David Oakes; Stanley Fahn; Anthony Lang; J William Langston; Peter LeWitt; C Warren Olanow; John B Penney; Caroline Tanner; Karl Kieburtz; Alice Rudolph Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2002-05 Impact factor: 10.422