Randomized controlled trials for Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease.
The continuous increase in elderly and oldest-old population, and subsequent rise in prevalence of chronic neurological diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), are a major challenge for healthcare systems. These two conditions are the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases in older persons and physicians should engage treatment for these patients. In this field, Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) specifically focused on elderly populations are still lacking. The aim of this study was to identify RCTs conducted among AD and PD and to examine the difference between mean age of enrollment and incidence of these two neurodegenerative diseases. We found that the scenario is different between PD and AD. In particular, the enrollment for PD trials seems to include younger persons than AD, although the incidence of both diseases is similar and highest after 80 years old. The consequence of these results could influence conclusive guidelines of treatment in older parkinsonian patients.
Geriatric Clinic and Laboratory of Movement Analysis, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Department, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, I-431126 Parma, Italy, flauretani@ao.pr.it.
Fulvio
F
Lauretani
Internal Medicine and Critical Subacute Care Unit, Parma University Hospital, Via Gramsci 14, I-431126 Parma, Italy and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, I-431126 Parma, Italy.
Andrea
A
Ticinesi
Internal Medicine and Critical Subacute Care Unit, Parma University Hospital, Via Gramsci 14, I-431126 Parma, Italy and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, I-431126 Parma, Italy.
Tiziana
T
Meschi
Geriatric Clinic and Laboratory of Movement Analysis, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Department, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, I-431126 Parma, Italy.
Giulio
G
Teresi
Geriatric Clinic and Laboratory of Movement Analysis, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Department, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, I-431126 Parma, Italy.
Gian Paolo
GP
Ceda
Geriatric Clinic and Laboratory of Movement Analysis, Geriatric and Rehabilitation Department, University Hospital of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, I-431126 Parma, Italy.
Marcello
M
Maggio
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology