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Radiotherapy to the salivary glands as treatment of sialorrhea in patients with parkinsonism
Author(s) -
Postma AnnaGerlind,
Heesters Mart,
van Laar Teus
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.21752
Subject(s) - sialorrhea , medicine , parkinsonism , adverse effect , quality of life (healthcare) , dry mouth , drooling , disease , anesthesia , surgery , saliva , nursing
This study investigated retrospectively the long‐term efficacy and safety of radiotherapy (RT) to the major salivary glands as treatment of sialorrhea in patients with parkinsonism. Twenty‐eight patients received a bilateral dose of 12 Gy to the parotid and part of the submandibular glands between 2001 and 2006. Severity of sialorrhea and adverse events were assessed at 1 and 6 months post‐RT and finally in the first quarter of 2007. Item 6 of the activities of daily living‐section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale was used as primary endpoint. Quality of life (QoL) pre‐ and post‐RT was investigated using a shortened Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire‐8. Sialorrhea had improved significantly at 1 month post‐RT and this effect was maintained for at least 1 year. Most frequent adverse events were loss of taste and a dry mouth; however, 75% of these adverse events were transient. QoL had improved significantly on the long term. The clinical global impression scores at the final follow‐up showed that 80% of patients were satisfied. It was concluded that RT is an effective and safe treatment of sialorrhea on the long term in patients with parkinsonism. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society