Objective: Demonstrate improvement in Parkinson’s disease (PD)-related quality of life (QoL) for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) patients in a prospective, multicenter study conducted in China.

Background: Long-term levodopa use is frequently associated with fluctuations in motor response and can have a serious adverse effect on PD patients’ QoL. DBS at the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus interna (GPi) is effective in improving symptoms of diminished levodopa responsiveness. QoL improvements with DBS have been shown in several randomized control trials, mostly in Europe and the United States; however, there is a need for evidence from regions around the world.

Method: To evaluate the effect of neurostimulation on PD patients’ QoL, PDQ-8, UPDRS I, II, III and IV, and EQ-5D were collected at baseline and 12 months post DBS implantation. The mean change and percent change from baseline were reported for these clinical outcomes.

Results: Assessments were completed for 85 of the 89 implanted patients. DBS substantially improved patients’ QoL and function. Implanted patients demonstrated statistically significant mean improvement for PDQ-8 (-6.7, standard error 1.5, p < 0.0001) and UPDRS III (on stimulation/off medication) (-21.5, standard error 1.5, p < 0.0001). Of the patients who completed the 12-month follow-up visit, the percent change was -22.2% for PDQ-8 and -51.6% for UPDRS III (on stimulation/off medication). Percent change from baseline to 12 months for UPDRS I, II, III and IV, and EQ-5D were -16.8%, -39.4%, -18.5%, -50.0%, and 22.7%, respectively. The overall rate of incidence for adverse events was low at 15.7%. Favorable outcomes were also reported based on patient opinion: 95.3% were satisfied with DBS results, 98.8% would recommend DBS to a friend, and 96.5% saw an improvement in burden of care for their caregiver.

Conclusion: These data were compared to other studies around the world and demonstrated alignment with ability of DBS to improve PD patients’ QoL. More studies investigating DBS therapy for PD patients are necessary to accurately characterize the global PD population. 

Previous presentations of these data:
Poster presentation at the International Conference on Deep Brain Stimulation Nov 2020; abstract is different
Manuscript will soon be under consideration for publication at Movement Disorders; abstract is slightly different

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/quality-of-life-and-motor-outcomes-for-parkinsons-disease-patients-12-months-after-deep-brain-stimulation-in-china/