[Daily defined doses of parkinsonian drugs in Alcoi].
BACKGROUND
Some authors have suggested that the use of DDD (defined daily doses) of L-dopa may be useful as an indicator of the frequency of Parkinson's disease.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the measurement for L-dopa and selegiline in Alcoi.


METHODS
We have obtained the intakes for L-dopa and selegiline between January and December, 1990 and we have calculated the DDD/1,000 inhab/day.


RESULTS
During the study period, we have found that the mean intakes were 18,000.969 mg and 53,800 mg for L-dopa and selegiline, respectively. And so, the L-dopa intake in Alcoi was 0.60 DDD/ 1,000 inh, and the selegiline intake was 0.21 DDD/1,000 inh.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparing the other data of the literature, specially in scandinavian countries, the obtained intake for L-dopa was low, and that could indicate that the frequency of the disease in Alcoi was lower.
Manzanares
R
R
Departmento de Medicina y Psiquiatria, Universidad de Alicante.
Matías-Guiu
J
J
Provencio
R
R
Falip
R
R
López-Arlandis
J
J
Martín
R
R
Ruiz
C
C
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012642:Selegiline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013030:Spain
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D012642:Selegiline; D007980:Levodopa
Dosis diarias definidas de fármacos antiparkinsonianos en Alcoi.