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Abstract
Background and Objectives Unilateral magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound subthalamotomy (FUS-STN) has been shown to improve the cardinal motor features of Parkinson disease (PD). Whether this effect is sustained is not known. This study aims to report the long-term outcome of patients with PD treated with unilateral FUS-STN.
Methods We conducted a prospective open-label study of patients with asymmetrical PD who underwent unilateral FUS-STN. All patients were evaluated up to 36 months after treatment. The primary outcome was the difference from baseline to 36 months after FUS-STN in the score of the Movement Disorder Society–Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) motor part (III) for the treated hemibody in the off-medication state. The safety outcome included all adverse events occurring during follow-up. Secondary outcomes were the change in the MDS-UPDRS III score on-medication; subscores of rigidity, bradykinesia, tremor, and axial features; total MDS-UPDRS III; and the MDS-UPDRS part IV. Functional disability and quality of life were assessed using the MDS-UPDRS II and the PDQ39, respectively. Patient impression of change and satisfaction with the treatment were self-assessed. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test with subsequent Bonferroni's correction was used for data analysis.
Results Thirty-two patients with PD were evaluated at 36 months after treatment. The mean (±SD) age at baseline was 56.0 ± 10.1 years, with a mean disease duration of 6.8 ± 2.8 years. The MDS-UPDRS III score for the treated hemibody off-medication was improved by 52.3% from baseline to 3 years (score reduction from 19.0 ± 3.2 to 8.9 ± 3.3, 95% CI 8.7 to 11.6, p < 0.001), and all specific motor features were improved from baseline. No disabling or delayed adverse events were reported. The total MDS-UPDRS III off-medication score was 22.9% lower at 3 years than before treatment (36.8 ± 7.4 vs 27.4 ± 6.2, 95% CI 6.0 to 11.5, p < 0.001). The MDS-UPDRS II, IV, and PDQ39 scores and levodopa dose were equivalent to those at baseline.
Discussion The benefit of unilateral FUS-STN on PD motor features is sustained in the long term. FUS-STN contributes to better clinical control over several years of evolution. NCT02912871/03454425.
Classification of Evidence This study provides Class IV evidence on the utility of focused ultrasound unilateral subthalamotomy in the treatment of people with Parkinson disease.
Glossary
- DBS=
- deep brain stimulation;
- ET=
- essential tremor;
- FUS-STN=
- focused ultrasound subthalamotomy;
- LEDD=
- levodopa equivalent daily dose;
- MDS-UPDRS=
- Movement Disorder Society–Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale;
- PD=
- Parkinson disease;
- PDQ-39SI=
- 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire Summary Index;
- STN=
- subthalamic nucleus
Footnotes
Go to Neurology.org/N for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of the article.
Submitted and externally peer reviewed. The handling editor was Associate Editor Peter Hedera, MD, PhD.
Editorial, page 601
Class of Evidence: NPub.org/coe
- Received April 13, 2022.
- Accepted in final form November 17, 2022.
- © 2023 American Academy of Neurology
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