Delayed administration of dopaminergic drugs is not associated with prolonged length of stay of hospitalized patients with Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Punctual delivery of dopaminergic medication to Parkinson's disease (PD) patients may be important in optimizing disease control. We tested the hypothesis that prompt delivery of l-dopa medications to emergency hospital inpatients was associated with a decreased length of stay in hospital.

Methods

The study population consisted of all urgent hospitalizations for patients with a diagnosis of PD to the Royal Derby Hospital over a two-year period. Data were extracted on timing of delivery of drugs, number of co-morbidities and length of stay. Statistical analysis used linear regression adjusting for within admission clustering.

Results

431 individuals provided data from a total of 737 admissions. 39% of scheduled l-dopa doses were either not given or administe

SUBMITTER: Skelly R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5292103 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature