Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is well established and the most effective treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known of the long-term effects.Objectives
The aim of this study was to examine the long-term effects of STN-DBS in PD and evaluate the effect of reprogramming after more than 8 years of treatment.Methods
A total of 82 patients underwent surgery in Copenhagen between 2001 and 2008. Before surgery and at 8 to 15 years follow-up, the patients were rated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) with and without stimulation and medicine. Furthermore, at long-term follow-up, the patients were offered a systemic reprogramming of the stimulation settings. Data from patients' medical records were collected. The mean (range) age at surgery was 60 (42-78) years, and the duration of disease was 13 (5-25) years. A total of 30 patients completed the long-term follow-up.Results
The mean reduction of the motor UPDRS by medication before surgery was 52%. The improvement of motor UPDRS with stimulation alone compared with motor UPDRS with neither stimulation nor medication was 61% at 1 year and 39% at 8 to 15 years after surgery (before reprogramming). Compared with before surgery, medication was reduced by 55% after 1 year and 44% after 8 to 15 years. After reprogramming, most patients improved.Conclusions
STN-DBS remains effective in the long run, with a sustained reduction of medication in the 30 of 82 patients available for long-term follow-up. Reprogramming is effective even in the late stages of PD and after many years of treatment.
SUBMITTER: Thomsen BLC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7534016 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Thomsen Birgitte L C BLC Jensen Steen R SR Clausen Anders A Karlsborg Merete M Jespersen Bo B Løkkegaard Annemette A
Movement disorders clinical practice 20200921 7
<h4>Background</h4>Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is well established and the most effective treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). However, little is known of the long-term effects.<h4>Objectives</h4>The aim of this study was to examine the long-term effects of STN-DBS in PD and evaluate the effect of reprogramming after more than 8 years of treatment.<h4>Methods</h4>A total of 82 patients underwent surgery in Copenhagen between 2001 and 2008. Before surge ...[more]