The effect of levodopa dose and body weight on dyskinesia in a prevalent population of people with Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the effect of active dose and dose per kilogram (kg) of body weight of levodopa on the occurrence of dyskinesia within a prevalent population of people with PD.


METHODS
Of 106 prevalent cases, 75 (70.8%; 38 males, 37 females) agreed to assessment by a member of the research team. Demographic information, weight and height were recorded. Patients were assessed using a range of rating scales including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Patients were asked specifically: 'Do you have, or have you ever had, dyskinesia?'.


RESULTS
Nine patients (12.0%) reported dyskinesia. Patient reported dyskinesia was significantly associated with greater years since diagnosis (r=0.309, p=0.007), higher levodopa equivalent dose (r=0.406, p<0.001) and levodopa equivalent dose per kg body weight (r=0.375, p<0.001). Using logistic regression, active levodopa dose, unadjusted for body weight, was an independent predictor of dyskinesia.


CONCLUSIONS
Adjusting levodopa dose for body weight did not increase its degree of correlation with patient reported dyskinesia.
Department of Medicine, North Tyneside General Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE29 8NH, UK. richard.walker@nhct.nhs.uk
Richard W
RW
Walker
Anna R
AR
Howells
William K
WK
Gray
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020820:Dyskinesias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011379:Prognosis
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa