title: [Efficacy and side-effects of long term L-dopa therapy in Parkinsonian syndromes (evaluated by CT scan as well) (author's transl)].
abstract: The evolution of symptoms and therapeutic response in a group of have been followed parkinsonian patients 81 for a period of 4 years. Hoehn and Yahr, and Webster's scales have been used. In addition CT scan, EEG, ECG, blood and urine analyses have been carried out. Treatment was carried out with L-Dopa and decarboxylase inhibitor (benserazide for 50% of cases and carbidopa for the other 50%). Anticholinergics (esp. metixene) were often required. The initial response was satisfactory for all patients except one who had hydrocephalus (with normal pressure). Four years later, the initial improvement diminished by about 1/3. Side effects occurred in 80.24% of cases in the beginning, and in 82.50% of cases after 4 years. Dyskinesias, confusional state and "on-off" phenomenon increased with time, whereas gastric trouble diminished. CT scan were obtained in all patients and atrophic changes were found in 82.7%. There were no correlations between localization and severity of anatomical lesions on the one hand, and therapeutic response and side-effects on the other. It is suggested that the severity of the disease depends mainly on the degree of neurochemical integrity in the affected area rather then to the extent of anatomical lesions.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001545:Benserazide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003221:Confusion / Q000139:chemically induced; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000139:chemically induced; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D006834:Hydrazines; D007980:Levodopa; D001545:Benserazide; D002230:Carbidopa
vernacular_title: Efficacia ed effetti collaterali della terapia prolungata con l-dopa nelle sindromi parkinsoniane (valutate anche con TAC dell'encefalo).