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The Combined Use of Levodopa/Benserazide and Pramipexole Proves Beneficial for Managing Parkinson's Disease

Liu Q, Wang H, Lv S, Zhao Y, Zheng Y, Li G, Wang W

Actas espanolas de psiquiatria, 2024

120 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurological condition, is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons, leading to motor dysfunction and non-motor symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of combining levodopa/benserazide with pramipexole on PD patients, focusing on cognitive function, plasma monoamine neurotransmitter levels, and serum growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) levels.

METHODS: This retrospective study included 120 PD patients admitted to the hospital between January 2021 and January 2023. Based on the treatment approaches, the patients were categorized into the control group (n = 61) and the observation group (n = 59). The control group received oral levodopa/benserazide tablets, while the observation group was treated with levodopa/benserazide tablets combined with pramipexole. The two experimental groups were assessed and compared across several parameters, including PD symptoms [Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)], cognitive function [Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)], the levels of plasma monoamine neurotransmitters, and serum GDF-15 and Ang-1 levels.

RESULTS: The response rate to treatment was more significant in the observation group (96.55%) compared to the control group (87.93%, p = 0.162). Post-treatment, both groups demonstrated a decline in their UPDRS and overall scores, with the observation group indicating substantially lower…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 120 participants or records.

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