Why carry out this study?

There is a need for a quantifiable, early, and simple predictor for long-term survival in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Our analysis assessed the relationship between treatment intensity (measured by the dose of oral levodopa equivalent in the first year following PD diagnosis) and long-term survival.

What was learned from the study?

Patients receiving ≥ 600 mg levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) in the first year following diagnosis had higher mortality risk compared with patients receiving < 600 mg LEDD.

Treatment intensity in the first year after a PD diagnosis may serve as an early indicator of increased risk of mortality.