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AN OUT‐PATIENT PROGRAMME FOR L ‐DOPA THERAPY IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Author(s) -
Hicks E. P.,
Rischbieth R. H. C.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1971.tb92499.x
Subject(s) - medicine , parkinsonism , nausea , disease , allowance (engineering) , diabetes mellitus , clinical trial , pediatrics , surgery , intensive care medicine , mechanical engineering , engineering , endocrinology
Twelve out‐patients suffering from Parkinson's disease have been treated with l‐dopa for periods ranging from four to six months. After clinical and laboratory baselines had been established, the patients were reviewed soon after reaching the optimal dose of the drug. Although selection is required, the method is suitable for most of the new patients seen in a general hospital out‐patient department. The method of management makes considerable demands on relatives and is very time‐consuming for the medical staff. The method is generally unsuitable for patients who live in the country, or who lack an intelligent relative. Side effects were not troublesome if certain precautions were observed. The effects of alcohol in combination with l‐dopa are discussed. Experience with the orbicularis oculi reflex as an indicator of optimal dosage is discussed. Improvement in 10 of the 12 patients compares favourably with the results of in‐patient trials, after allowance has been made for the method of selection. Two patients were obliged to withdraw from the trial: one because of intractable nausea and lack of benefit; the other because of the complications of preexisting diabetes, hypertension and gout, although the Parkinsonism had been considerably relieved. At the time of writing, a further 24 out‐patients are being treated, and preliminary assessment shows similar trends. No deaths have occurred.