Does L-dopa treatment contribute to reduction in body weight in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease?
OBJECTIVE
Many patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) lose weight also early during the disease. The objective of the study was to investigate possible causative factors for this loss.


METHODS
In this report, 28 PD patients and 28 age- and sex-matched controls were repeatedly assessed with the focus on body weight, body fat mass, dysphagia, olfaction, physical activity, PD symptomatology and drug treatment.


RESULTS
Weight loss was seen in PD patients both before and during L-dopa treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The underlying disease could play a role, but our results also suggest that L-dopa per se could contribute to the weight loss.
Pålhagen
S
S
Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience and Locomotion, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. sven.palhagen@neuromedicin.se
Lorefält
B
B
Carlsson
M
M
Ganowiak
W
W
Toss
G
G
Unosson
M
M
Granérus
A-K
AK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012903:Smell; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa