Introduction: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). However, sometimes, it is not sufficient to adequately control motor symptoms. We describe our experience with continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (APO) in patients with DBS.
Methods: We undertook a retrospective analysis of all patients treated with DBS and APO at our centre over 12 years. Subjects were allocated to four groups: (1) APO temporarily before DBS, (2) APO after DBS complications before a new DBS, (3) APO after definitive DBS removal, and (4) APO in patients with DBS and declining response. Motor state and other parameters were analysed and compared for the different treatments.
Results: Data for 71 patients were evaluated. Group 1: (n = 18) patients improved their motor function significantly with both APO and DBS (off-hours before APO 5.4 ± 1.4; after APO 1.4 ± 1.2, p > 0.001; after DBS 0.7 ± 0.8, p < 0.001). Group 2: (n = 11) patients were found to have mild but significant worsening of motor state between the first DBS treatment (off-hours 0.7 ± 1.0) and APO (2.2 ± 1.5, p = 0.02), and improvement between APO and the second DBS treatment (off-hours 0.6 ± 0.8, p = 0.03). Group 3: (n = 12) patients had mild but significant worsening of motor function between DBS (off-hours 1.1 ± 1.0) and APO (2.0 ± 0.9, p = 0.03). Group 4: (n = 13) significant improvement in motor function was observed between DBS alone (off-hours 3.9 ± 2.6) and DBS combined with APO (2.2 ± 1.3, p = 0.03).
Conclusion: In advanced PD, DBS may be not sufficient or may fail to control motor symptoms adequately. In these cases, APO, whether alone or in combination with DBS, is a good choice to improve the disease control.
Keywords: Advanced Parkinson’s disease; Apomorphine; Deep brain stimulation; Treatment.