title: Long-term double masked trial of early treatment with L-dopa plus bromocriptine versus L-dopa alone in Parkinson's disease. Interim results.
abstract: The quality and duration of control in two groups of parkinsonian patients under treatment with an L-dopa-based drug alone or L-dopa-based drug which has been partially substituted with bromocriptine are being compared over a 5-year period using a double-blind placebo-controlled study design. The aim is to establish whether early addition of bromocriptine will minimise late L-dopa complications. Results are presented after 1 year. Of 31 patients randomised, 13 were treated with combined L-dopa/bromocriptine and 14 with L-dopa/placebo. 4 patients were withdrawn for various reasons. In both groups any dose adjustments were aimed at maintaining the pre-entry clinical condition. In the group receiving bromocriptine combination therapy, progressive reduction of L-dopa was possible without deterioration of the patients' condition. In patients receiving L-dopa alone, the dose of L-dopa at 12 months was almost similar to that recorded on entry to the study. The total number of patients reporting adverse events in the L-dopa/bromocriptine combination and L-dopa alone groups were 8 and 7, respectively. At the present interim stage of the study it is not possible to compare the incidence of L-dopa long-term complications in either group.
authors.affiliation: Glasgow University Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bakheit
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D001971:Bromocriptine; D007980:Levodopa