Long-Term Therapeutic Efficacy of Levodopa in Parkinson's Disease.
- Author:
Il Saing CHOI
1
;
Young Chul CHOI
;
Ji Hoe HEO
;
Sung Soo LEE
;
Jin Ho KIM
;
Myung Sik LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- MeSH:
Humans;
Levodopa*;
Parkinson Disease*;
Parkinsonian Disorders
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
1993;11(2):181-186
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
We evaluated the therapeutic effects and complications of 118 patients with idiopathic parkisonism who were receiving levodopa therapy for more than 1 year. Response to therapy and complications of drug were correlated with duration of the disease and with duration of the treatment. Patients with motor fluctuation were likely to have been treated for 3 years or longer. Patients treated with levodopa for 5 years or longer were significantly more impaired with parkinsonism than patients treated for 1 to 3 years. Our findings suggest that the deterioration of responsiveness after several years of levododpa therapy may be due to the therapy itself, and utilization of levodopa therapy should be delayed until a patient becomes significantly impaired in occupational or social situations.
