Global long-term study on motor and non-motor symptoms and safety of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel in routine care of advanced Parkinson's disease patients; 12-month interim outcomes

Abstract

Introduction: Intermittent oral delivery of levodopa is a major contributing factor for motor complications in Parkinson's disease (PD). Continuous infusion of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) into the jejunum using a portable pump via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) improves motor complications and quality of life (QoL).

Objectives: To record long-term effectiveness of advanced PD patients undergoing LCIG infusion in routine care, by Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), PDQ-8 and EQ-5D questionnaires.

Methods: Overall, 375 patients from 75 movement disorder centers in 18 countries were enrolled in this prospective non-interventional study. The 12-month interim outcomes of the first 172 included patients are presented here.

Results: There were reductions of mean daily "Off" time from baseline (BL) (7.1 ± 3.5 h) and "On" time with dyskinesias (5.2 ± 4.5 h) at month 12 (M12) of -4.7 ± 3.4 and -1.7 ± 5.0 h respectively (p < 0.0001; p = 0.0228). UPDRS II and III "On" scores decreased from BL to M12 (p = 0.0107 and p = 0.0128). Total NMSS and PDQ-8 scores improved at M12 (p = 0.0014 and p = 0.0100). Mean LCIG dose administered through PEG at first visit (day after implantation) was 1304 ± 618 mg/day and remained stable through M12. Continuous LCIG infusion tolerability and adverse drug reactions were consistent with the known safety profile of previous studies.

Conclusions: This observational, routine-care study supports long-term safety and efficacy of LCIG infusion in advanced PD including motor, non-motor and QoL improvements.

Keywords: Advanced Parkinson's disease; Duodenal levodopa-carbidopa infusion; Motor symptoms; Non-motor symptoms; Quality of life; Routine patient care.