Effect of Early Levodopa Treatment on Mortality in People with Parkinson's Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ideal timing for initiating levodopa in newly diagnosed people with Parkinson's disease (PD) is uncertain due to limited data on the long-term effects of levodopa.

Objective

The aim was to investigate whether early levodopa initiation postpones mortality (primary outcome), the requirement of device-aided therapies, and the incidence of PD-related complications, such as fall-induced injuries.

Methods

Using nationwide claims data from Dutch hospitals (2012-2020), we grouped newly diagnosed PD individuals as "early initiators" (initiating levodopa within 2 years of diagnosis) or "nonearly initiators." We used the national death registry to assess mortality and health-care claims to assess PD-related complications and device-aided therapies. We used margina

SUBMITTER: Talebi AH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11489610 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature