Skip to main content

QOL Outcomes Stable With Neurostimulation in Parkinson Disease

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 22, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Jan. 22, 2024 -- For patients with Parkinson disease (PD), differences in quality of life (QOL) outcomes are seen with deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS), according to a study published online Jan. 18 in JAMA Network Open.

Stefanie T. Jost, Ph.D., from the University of Cologne in Germany, and colleagues examined the long-term effects of STN-DBS versus standard-of-care medication (MED) on QOL in a prospective observational, quasi-experimental trial involving patients with PD. Overall, 108 patients underwent propensity score-matching (62 in the STN-DBS group and 46 in the MED group), resulting in a well-balanced matched subcohort with 25 patients in each group.

The researchers found that Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 8 (PDQ-8) and activities of daily living (ADL) worsened only in the MED group at five-year follow-up (PDQ-8 change, −10.9; ADL change, −2.0), while in the STN-DBS group, both outcomes remained stable. There was a moderate correlation observed for changes in PDQ-8 and ADL. STN-DBS outcomes were favorable for motor complications, mobility, and levodopa-equivalent daily dose reduction (mean differences in change scores between STN-DBS and MED, −2.0, −1.0, and −821.4, respectively).

"These findings may provide helpful information when counseling patients on the efficacy of STN-DBS for PD and monitoring patients postoperatively in long-term follow-up," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Excellent Outcomes Seen for Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal A-Fib

WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2024 -- Clinical outcomes are excellent with use of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation (CA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), according to a study...

Volume of Leisure-Time Physical Activity Not Tied to Coronary Artery Calcium

WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2024 -- Ongoing leisure-time physical activity, even at high volumes, is not associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression, a marker of...

Metastatic Cancer Survival No Better at Practices With Higher NQF 0210 Rates

WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2024 -- For patients with metastatic or advanced cancer, treatment at practices with higher rates of National Quality Forum (NQF) 0210 (patients receiving...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.