Night-Time Apomorphine Infusion: Who Are the Best Candidates?

Abstract

Background: We recently demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial (APOMORPHEE, NCT02940912) that night-time only subcutaneous apomorphine infusion improves sleep disturbances and insomnia in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease and moderate to severe insomnia. Objectives: To identify the best candidates for receiving night-time only subcutaneous apomorphine infusion in routine care. Methods: In this post-hoc analysis of APOMORPHEE, we compared the characteristics of patients according to whether they chose to continue night-time only subcutaneous apomorphine infusion at the end of the study period or not. Results: Half of the patients (22/42) chose to continue the treatment. Off duration (day or night), painful Off dystonia, and insomnia severity at baseline were associated with night-time only apomorphine continuation. Multivariate analysis retained only Off duration as an independent predictor of continuation. Conclusions: The best candidates for night-time only apomorphine are patients with severe and prolonged Off periods (day or night) and severe insomnia.