Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the improvement of health-related quality of life (HR QoL) outcomes in adult Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in a Brazilian cohort.

Background: Long-term levodopa use can have an adverse effect on PD patients’ HR QoL outcomes. DBS is a surgical treatment option for PD, addressing dyskinesias that are not responsive to medication. HR QoL improvements with DBS have been shown in several randomized control trials, mostly in North America and Europe. Yet, there is a need for DBS data in PD patients from regions around the world.

Method: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the effect of neurostimulation on PD patients’ HR QoL outcomes. The primary endpoints were change in PD-related quality of life outcomes (PDQ-8) and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III (on stimulation/off medication) one year after DBS implantation, compared to baseline. Secondary endpoints were changes in UPDRS I, II, III (on stimulation/on medication), IV and the EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) one year after DBS implantation, compared to baseline. Patients’ satisfaction and a modified Hoehn & Yahr Staging Scale were also assessed.

Results: A total of 73 patients were implanted with DBS. Of the implanted patients who completed the assessments there was a -33.3% change from baseline to one-year for PDQ-8 and -38.1% for UPDRS III (on stimulation/off medication). Percent change from baseline to one-year for UPDRS I, II, III (on stimulation/on medication) and IV, and EQ-5D-5L were -15.0%, -36.4%, 6.1%, -61.8%, and 42.6%, respectively. The overall rate of serious adverse events was low (15.1%). Patients’ satisfaction with their DBS results was relatively high (93.9%) and a modified Hoehn & Yahr Staging Scale showed a quantifiable reduction in PD symptom severity.

Conclusion: This study is the first of its kind conducted in South America. These data showed DBS therapy predominantly improved HR QoL outcomes in adults affected by PD and were largely in line with other studies carried out throughout the world. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02937688).

Previous presentations of these data:

A manuscript is under preparation; the abstract is different

« Back to 2023 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/deep-brain-stimulation-in-parkinsons-disease-patients-a-one-year-follow-up-in-the-understudied-geography-of-brazil/