Objective: This study is aimed to investigate the efficacy and adverse effect profile of LCIG among advanced PD patients from a Turkish movement disorder center.
Background: Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) is an emerging treatment modality in management of advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous papers reported frequent adverse events (AEs). However, efficacy and safety data regarding Turkish patients on LCIG is limited.
Method: Efficacy of LCIG was assessed with Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor score(UPDRS-III). Adverse events were collated in three topics: related to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with a jejunal tube (PEG-J), device-associated and L-dopa-related.
Results: Totally 22 patients (50% female) using LCIG were analyzed. Mean age and pre-LCIG disease duration were 66.7 (8.8) and 13.3 (8.0) years, respectively. Mean of minimental scores was 26.7 (2.4).
All of the patients have been still using LCIG after a mean 15.6 months (12.6) period. Significant improvements were observed in CGI and UPDRS-III. On the CGI scale, 21 patients (95.5%) considered that their condition had improved. Mean UPDRS-III scores were decreased from 38.3 to 13.1 (p=0.014).
Overall, 18 (81.8%) patients experienced at least one AE. Nine (40.9%) patients had PEG-J related or affected the gastrointestinal tract granuloma, leakage, or a local infection; 7 (31.8%) had device-associated (such as PEG-J removal and device occlusion), and 10 patients (45.5%) had L-dopa related adverse events. Newly onset polyneuropathy was observed in 5 patients. Mean body weight were decreased from 69.5 (15.1) to 62.5 (15.2) kg (p<0.001).
Half of the patients had required at least one additional endoscopic procedure and device replacement was done of 9. None of the AEs led to discontinuation.
Conclusion: Patients with advanced PD gain clinical benefit from treatment with LCIG. Even though they had high frequency of AEs, they are manageable and none of these AE’s led to discontinuation.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Y. Sucullu Karadag. Efficacy and safety of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) for advanced Parkinson’s disease: a Turkish single-centre experience [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2020; 35 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/efficacy-and-safety-of-levodopa-carbidopa-intestinal-gel-lcig-for-advanced-parkinsons-disease-a-turkish-single-centre-experience/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/efficacy-and-safety-of-levodopa-carbidopa-intestinal-gel-lcig-for-advanced-parkinsons-disease-a-turkish-single-centre-experience/