title: Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus reduces antiparkinsonian medication costs.
abstract: This study reports a retrospective analysis of 16 patients to determine changes in medication costs associated with deep brain stimulation of the bilateral subthalamic nucleus (DBS B-STN). Antiparkinsonian medication (APMED) costs were evaluated pre- and post-operatively at 1 and 2 years, based on prescribed dosages. After treatment with DBS, patients experienced a 32% reduction in APMED costs after 1 year and a 39% reduction after 2 years. Hypothetical projections of total potential savings are presented, accounting for increasingly complex medication regimens and medication cost inflation. DBS patients may experience a significant long-term reduction in the cost of their pharmacologic treatment.
authors.affiliation: The Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2100 Pierce Avenue, Suite 352 MCS, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212-3375, USA. p.david.charles@vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: P David
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.forename: Bimal B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Padaliya
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Chandler E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Cassondra D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Covington
authors.forename: John Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Tramontana
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Konrad
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000547:Amantadine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065098:Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018803:Models, Economic; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020531:Subthalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D065098:Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007980:Levodopa; D000547:Amantadine