REASONS FOR DISCONTINUATION OF LEVODOPA-CARBIDOPA INTESTINAL GEL INFUSION THERAPY OF PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED PARKINSON DISEASE: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE DATABASE FOR HEALTH SA

Abstract

The invasive method of Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) reduces motor complications in patients
with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Our aim was to investigate for the first time in Greece the factors
related to the discontinuation of LCIG treatment in patients with PD. A retrospective study of 140 patients with PD in LCIG treatment was performed between January 2015-January 2020 of the FOR HEALTH SA
database. All patients were assessed using the following questionnaires: Social Phobia Scale, Stigma Scale
for Chronic Illness, Brown Assessment of beliefs and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. In total, 140
patients with advanced PD were examined. Social phobia is reported in 21.4% of patients who continued
LCIG treatment and in 45% of those who discontinued it (p = 0.012). Generalized anxiety disorder was
present in 25.7% and 30% of those who stopped (p = 0.004), and somatization disorder reported in 19%
of those who stopped it (p = 0.010). LCIG treatment was successfully continued in 63% of all patients.
In 37% of patients the reasons for discontinuation of LCIG treatment were: death, psychological reasons,
complications and ineffectiveness of the method. Non-serious device-related adverse reactions included
pump tube obstruction (2%), weight loss (2.7%), and neuropathy (4.4%). Comparing the causes of discontinuation with the likelihood of discontinuation, the determinants that push patients to discontinue LCIG
therapy are anxiety, depression, and social stigma due to the device.