The prevalence and aetiology of long-term L-dopa side-effects in elderly parkinsonian patients.
Fifty-one elderly parkinsonian patients (mean age 80 years) on long-term (greater than 5 years) L-dopa therapy were identified from the patients within the three geriatric units in Edinburgh. Side-effects were identified in 57% of patients and tended to be mild in severity. Mean duration of disease was 10.2 years in those with side-effects and 6.7 years in those without (p less than 0.01). Past and present L-dopa side-effects are more likely to be caused by disease progression than by L-dopa therapy. It is therefore recommended that L-dopa should be prescribed at disease onset to elderly Parkinsonian patients.
Wilson
J A
JA
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Bangoor General Hospital, Broxburn, West Lothian, Scotland.
Smith
R G
RG
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012606:Scotland; D013997:Time Factors
D007980:Levodopa