Real-Life Use of Levodopa/Carbidopa Intestinal Gel in Parkinson's Disease According to Analysis of Pump Data

Abstract

Background: Levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) infusion is an efficacious treatment of motor and non-motor fluctuations in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Real-life use of the treatment is not previously studied. Objective: The aims of the study were to explore the use of LCIG and to determine how extra doses of LCIG are used in daily life. Methods: Twenty-five PD patients with ongoing LCIG therapy were consecutively included. Pump data was retrieved from 30 days on average, by means of software, extracting the most recent pump events. Results: The daily duration of infusion was 15 hours on average, in 18 patients, whereas the remaining 7 patients used 24-hour infusion. Morning doses ranged from 38-190mg levodopa, for patients who utilized this function. Median number of daily extra doses was 2.5 (range: 0-10.6) and median size of the extra dose was 24mg (0-80 mg) levodopa. Median total daily levodopa intake with LCIG was 1201mg (range: 417-2322mg). Conclusion: Retrieving pump data is possible and may be important for evaluating the at-home use of LCIG, to optimize the therapy. Adherence to treatment should be monitored, which is not technically difficult, at least in device-aided treatments for PD.