title: [EARLIER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY: THE ROLE OF DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE: PRESERVING THE WORKING CAPABILITY].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recently published "EarlyStim" study demonstrated that deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) with early fluctuations is superior to the optimal pharmacological treatment in improving the quality of life and motor symptoms, and preserving sociocultural position. Our retrospective investigation aimed to evaluate if DBS therapy was able to preserve the working capabilities of our patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the data of 39 young (< 60 years-old) PD patients who underwent subthalamic DBS implantation at University of Pécs and had at least two years follow-up. Patients were categorized into two groups based on their working capabilities: Patients with active job ("Job+" group, n = 15) and retired patients (without active job, "Job-" group, n = 24). Severity of motor symptoms (UPDRS part 3), quality of life (EQ-5D) and presence of active job were evaluated one and two years after the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As far as the severity of motor symptoms were concerned, similar (approximately 50%) improvement was achieved in both groups. However, the postoperative quality of life was significantly better in the Job+ group. Majority (12/15, 80%) of Job+ group members were able to preserve their job two years after the operation. However, only a minimal portion (1/24, 4.2%) of the Job- group members was able to return to the world of active employees (p < 0.01, McNemar test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although our retrospective study has several limitations, our results fit well with the conclusions of "EarlyStim" study. Both of them suggest that with optimal timing of DBS implantation we may preserve the working capabilities of our patients.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Deli
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Balás
authors.forename: Sámuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Komoly
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dóczi
authors.lastname: Janszky József
authors.forename: Zsuzsanna
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Aschermann
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: Edit
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bosnyák
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kovács
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation