Patterns of response to levodopa in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract

The broad results of the treatment of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who have received levodopa or its variants are reported. 50 patients, 24 males and 26 females, with a mean age of 66.5 years were treated with levodopa, in daily doses ranging from 0.25g to 6.0g or 'Sinemet' in daily doses of 300mg to 750mg. Periods of treatment ranged from 4 months to 8 years, with a mean of 4.02 years. The relationships of patients' age, onset of Parkinsonian symptoms and interval between initial treatment with levodopa and the current clinical state were studied. Patients were classified according to their clnical response into 3 categories: satisfactory response, progressive deterioration ..