Levodopa Versus Levodopa Sparing in Early Parkinson´s Disease: Can we Meet Halfway?

ABSTRACT Monotherapy is the recommended initial treatment for early Parkinson´s disease. The pharmacological options for initial treatment include dopaminergic agonists, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors, and levodopa formulations. Several factors should be considered when selecting the optimal treatment, such as disease severity, disease duration, age, activity level, and the risk of developing motor and non-motor complications. Early evidence on the potential role of levodopa formulations in the risk of dyskinesia led to levodopa aversion in the late 1990s and early 2000s, favoring the use of levodopa-sparing options like dopamine agonists. This shift resulted in an increase in behavioral adverse effects, such as impulse control disorders, leading to a subsequent dopamine agonist aversion in the mid-2000s. This review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the existing literature regarding the benefits and drawbacks of levodopa versus levodopa-sparing strategies in drug-naive early-stage Parkinson´s disease.

Efficacy of cabergoline therapy in patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas: A single center clinical experience

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the response to cabergoline (CBG) treatment in patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA). Subjects and methods: Retrospective, single tertiary care center study. A total of 44 patients were treated with 3 mg/week of CBG, 32 after surgical treatment (transsphenoidal surgery [TSS] in 27 and TC in 5 patients) and 12 as primary therapy. Mean age was 59.2 ± 12 years and 23 (52.2%) were women. Response to therapy was ascertained by serial magnetic resonance imaging. The median duration of CBG therapy was 30 months (IQR 24-48). Response to CBG therapy was defined as a greater than 20% reduction in tumor size and volume. Results: A significant reduction in tumor size was documented in 29 patients (66%), whereas in 11 patients (25%) the tumor increased in size and in 4 (9%), it remained stable. Significant tumor shrinkage was documented in 4 (33.3%) of 12 patients treated primarily and in 23 (71.8%) of those treated secondarily. The three-year progression-free survival was 0.61. Conclusion: Cabergoline therapy is effective in reducing tumor growth in over two thirds of patients with NFPA, however 16% of patients will escape to this beneficial effect and will require alternative forms of treatment to halt tumor progression.

Hyperprolactinemia associated with psychiatric disorders / Hiperprolactinemia asociada con trastornos psiquiátricos

Abstract Hyperprolactinemia may be associated with psychiatric disorders in the context of two scenarios: antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia and psychiatric disorders arising from the medical treatment of hyperprolactinemia. Both situations are particularly common in psychiatric and endocrine clinical practice, albeit generally underestimated or unrecognized. The aim of this article is to provide tools for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperprolactinemia associated with psychiatric disorders to raise awareness, especially among psychiatrists and endocrinologists, so that these professionals can jointly focus on the appropriate management of this clinical entity.

Resumen La hiperprolactinemia puede asociarse con trastornos psiquiátricos en el contexto de dos escenarios: la hiperprolactinemia inducida por antipsicóticos y trastornos psiquiátricos surgidos por el tratamiento médico de la hiperprolactinemia. Ambas situaciones son particularmente comunes en la práctica clínica psiquiátrica y endocrinológica, aunque generalmente subestimadas o inadvertidas. El objetivo de este artículo es proporcionar herramientas de diagnóstico y tratamiento de la hiperprolactinemia asociada a trastornos psiquiátricos, para concientizar particularmente a psiquiatras y endocrinólogos a enfocar en conjunto el manejo apropiado de esta entidad.

Tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson temprana / Treatment of early Parkinson's disease

RESUMEN La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es principalmente una enfermedad de pacientes ancianos. Es un trastorno multifacético que comprende síntomas motores y no motores en todas las etapas de la enfermedad. Esta revisión busca integrar los datos de las opciones de tratamiento más recientes con los datos de las terapias establecidas, a fin de proporcionar una referencia actualizada basada en la evidencia para los médicos que tratan la EP temprana, con medicamentos que puedan usarse como alternativa a la levodopa. El enfoque de los médicos para el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) temprana debe tener en cuenta numerosos aspectos, entre ellos, cómo informar al paciente sobre el diagnóstico y la decisión crítica de qué terapia adoptar y cuándo iniciarla. El tratamiento del trastorno motor asociado con la EP temprana debe considerar varios factores cruciales, como la edad de inicio, las comorbilidades y los requisitos funcionales del paciente, y no se puede resumir en una fórmula simple. En pacientes más jóvenes (es decir, antes de la edad de 70 años) y en aquellos sin altos requisitos funcionales, el tratamiento generalmente se inicia con agonistas de dopamina y / o inhibidores de la enzima monoaminooxidasa-B (MAO- B I). En pacientes más jóvenes, la levodopa se debe agregar a los agonistas de la dopamina y / o MAO-B I, según lo requiera la progresión de la enfermedad, mientras que en los pacientes mayores, cuando la respuesta a la levodopa sola no es satisfactoria, los agonistas de la dopamina o los inhibidores de la catecol-O- metiltransferasa pueden posteriormente ser agregados.

SUMMARY Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily a disease of elderly patients. Is a multifaceted disorder comprised of both motor and non-motor symptoms at all stages of the disease. This review seeks to integrate data from the newest treatment options with data from established therapies, so as to provide an up-to- date evidence-based reference for clinicians treating early PD, with medications that can be used as an alternative to levodopa. The clinicians' approach to the treatment of early Parkinson's disease (PD) should take into account numerous aspects, including how to inform a patient upon diagnosis and the critical decision of what therapy to adopt and when to start it. The treatment of the motor disorder associated with early PD needs to consider several crucial factors, such as age at onset, comorbidities, and the patient's functional requirements, and cannot be summarized in a simple formula. In younger patients (i.e., before the age of 70) and in those without high functional requirements, treatment is usually initiated with dopamine agonists and/or monoamine oxidase-B enzyme inhibitors (MAO-B I). In younger patients, levodopa should be added to dopamine agonists and/or MAO-B I, as required by disease progression, whereas in older patients, when response to levodopa alone is not satisfactory, dopamine agonists or catechol-O- methyltransferase inhibitors may subsequently be added.

Impulse control and related disorders in Parkinson's disease / Transtorno de controle de impulso e condições relacionadas na doença de Parkinson

ABSTRACT Neuropsychiatric disorders are common among patients with Parkinson's disease and may appear in any stage of the disease. However, these disorders often go undiagnosed and receive insufficient treatment. Observations in recent years have revealed that dopamine replacement therapy may lead to the development or worsening of conditions, such as gambling disorder, compulsive sexual behavior, compulsive buying and binge eating, in addition to punding and dopamine dysregulation syndrome. The pathophysiology of these disorders seems to be related to abnormal dopaminergic stimulation of the basal regions of the basal ganglia, especially via nigro-mesolimbic pathways. The aim of the present study was to perform a literature review on impulsivity, impulse control disorders and related conditions among patients with Parkinson's disease, with emphasis on their epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment.

RESUMO Alterações neuropsiquiátricas são comuns na doença de Parkinson e estão presentes em todas as fases da enfermidade. No entanto, frequentemente não são reconhecidas e recebem tratamento insuficiente. Ao longo dos últimos anos, observou-se que a terapia de reposição dopaminérgica pode levar ao desenvolvimento ou piora de condições como transtorno do jogo, compulsão por sexo, compras, e comida, além da síndrome de desregulação dopaminérgica e punding. Sua fisiopatologia parece estar relacionada à estimulação dopaminérgica anormal das regiões basais dos núcleos da base, sobretudo pelas vias nigro-mesolímbicas. O presente artigo tem como objetivo fazer uma revisão da literatura a respeito de impulsividade, transtornos do controle de impulso e condições relacionadas na doença de Parkinson, com foco na epidemiologia, características clínicas e tratamento.

Controversial issues in the management of hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas - An overview by the Neuroendocrinology Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism

ABSTRACT Prolactinomas are the most common pituitary adenomas (approximately 40% of cases), and they represent an important cause of hypogonadism and infertility in both sexes. The magnitude of prolactin (PRL) elevation can be useful in determining the etiology of hyperprolactinemia. Indeed, PRL levels > 250 ng/mL are highly suggestive of the presence of a prolactinoma. In contrast, most patients with stalk dysfunction, drug-induced hyperprolactinemia or systemic diseases present with PRL levels < 100 ng/mL. However, exceptions to these rules are not rare. On the other hand, among patients with macroprolactinomas (MACs), artificially low PRL levels may result from the so-called "hook effect". Patients harboring cystic MACs may also present with a mild PRL elevation. The screening for macroprolactin is mostly indicated for asymptomatic patients and those with apparent idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. Dopamine agonists (DAs) are the treatment of choice for prolactinomas, particularly cabergoline, which is more effective and better tolerated than bromocriptine. After 2 years of successful treatment, DA withdrawal should be considered in all cases of microprolactinomas and in selected cases of MACs. In this publication, the goal of the Neuroendocrinology Department of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM) is to provide a review of the diagnosis and treatment of hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas, emphasizing controversial issues regarding these topics. This review is based on data published in the literature and the authors' experience.

Analysis of the clinical characteristics and related factors of impulse compulsive behaviors in patients with Parkinson's disease / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and related factors associated with impulse compulsive behaviors (ICBs) in Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods Two hundred and thirty-one PD outpatients were recruited from Beijing Hospital and Chinese Medicine Hospital of Pinggu District of Beijing from November 2012 to November 2015.Questionnaire for Impulse Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease (QUIP) was used to assess all subjects if they have ICBs or not.The general materials, medication utilized were recorded , and the related scales were used to evaluate PD patients.Intergroup analysis was made according to with or without ICBs.The Logistic regression analysis was adopted to analyze the relevance between incidence of ICBs and on-set age of PD, drinking tea or not, the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire score, dosage of amantadine and dopamine agonist levodopa equivalent daily doses (DA-LEDD).Results Twenty-four cases of 231 outpatients were QUIP screening positive , and only 13 cases ( 5.63%) were diagnosed with ICBs as follows : hypersexuality in four ( 1.73%), compulsive shopping in two (0.87%), pathological gambling in one (0.43%), punding in eight(3.46%), dopamine dysregulation syndrome in two (0.87%) and with two or more ICBs in three (1.30%).Compared with non-ICBs group, ICBs group took more dopamine agonists (137.5(37.5, 175.0) mg/d vs 50.0(0, 125.0) mg/d, Z＝-2.175,P＝0.030), and had higher percentage of drinking tea (2/13 vs 3/218(1.4%),χ2＝11.369,P＝0.027).Logistic regression showed that higher dosage of dopamine agonist ( DA-LEDD≥100 mg/d,OR＝4.404, 95%CI 1.191-16.284,P＝0.026) was a risk factor for ICBs.Conclusions ICBs are not rare in Parkinson's disease, and punding is more common among the clinical phenotypes of ICBs. More dopamine agonists in PD (more than 100 mg/d) may be associated with about 4-fold increased odds of having ICBs.

Sleep benefit and its correlation factors in Parkinson's disease / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To analyze the phenomenon of sleep benefit in Parkinson's disease (PD)and its correlation factors.Methods One hundred PD patients in Department of Neurology,Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from February 2017 to November 2017 were included.They were recorded in detail the clinical information and clinical classification.Sleep conditions were assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,Parkinson Disease Sleep Scale,Epworth Sleepiness Disorder Scale and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire.The general information,disease duration,medication,movement function,sleep condition and anxiety status were compared between sleep benefit group and without sleep benefit group.The correlation factors of sleep benefit was evaluated using unconditional Logistic regression analysis.Results Fifty-one cases (51％) of sleep benefit were determined in our cohort of 100 PD patients.Sleep benefit group adminstered lower levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD,(354.77 ± 279.64) mg/d) compared with patients without sleep benefit ((510.76 ± 266.26) mg/d,t =-2.734,P =0.006),including levodopa ((289.04 ± 228.73) mg/d vs (392.65 ± 211.20) mg/d,t =-2.366,P =0.021) and dopamine agonist dose ((41.13 ± 51.48) mg/d vs (68.01 ± 57.10) mg/d,t =-1.950,P =0.054).Sleep benefit group had higher percentage of using dopamine agonist (23(45.1％) vs 35 (71.4％),x2 =7.112,P=0.008) and longer duration of nocturnal sleep episode ((6.51 ± 1.31) h vs (5.89 ± 1.29) h,t =2.412,P =0.018).In addition,sleep benefit had a higher prevalence in tremor-dominant subtype of PD (19/27 (70.4％) vs 20/46 (43.5％),x2 =4.855,P =0.025).Logistic regression indicated that sleep benefit had a positive correlation with duration of nocturnal sleep episode and tremor-dominant subtype,as well as a negative correlation with LEDD and dose of levodopa.LEDD and duration of nocturnal sleep episode were the independent factors of sleep benefit (OR =0.998,95％CI 0.997-1.000,P＜0.05;OR=1.407,95％CI1.004-1.972,P＜0.05).Conclusion PD patients with sleep benefit administered low dose of dopamine and took long nocturnal sleep,which may relate to the relativelv preserved dopamine storage function of dopaminergic neurons.

Síndrome de piernas inquietas (enfermedad de Willis-Ekbom): seguimiento a largo plazo de una serie de pacientes / Restless legs syndrome: long-term follow-up of a series of patients

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects 10% of the general population. Aim: To analyze a series of patients with a minimum follow-up period of four years, treated during an interval of 14 years. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of 200 patients assessed and followed by the authors at a private outpatient clinic. Results: Fifty patients aged 25 to 90 years (34 females), who had a mean follow-up of 6,3 years (range 4-14 years), were selected. Sixty percent responded to therapy that initially consisted in dopamine agonists in 78% of cases. Thirty four percent remained symptomatic and 4% worsened. RLS severity scale improved from an initial score of 19,2 to 12,5 at the last follow-up visit (p < 0.05). Thirty-three patients (66%) experienced an overall worsening of symptoms beyond pretreatment levels during follow-up. The strategies to overcome this augmentation were the change to another agonist, use of ligands such as pregabalin and gabapentin, opioids and iron. Low ferritin was common in most of the patients in whom it was measured (24 of 45 results), mainly in those with augmentation (p < 0,05). Six percent of patients treated with dopamine agonist developed an impulse control disorder. Conclusions: RLS is a treatable condition during a long period of follow-up in most patients. We found a high rate of potentiation at presentation which can be explained by the inadequate use of high doses of dopaminergic agents.

Prolactinomas may have unusual presentations resulting from massive extrasellar tumor extension / Prolactinomas podem ter apresentações incomuns resultantes de maciça extensão tumoral extrasselar

ABSTRACT The purpose of this case series is to report eight patients with giant prolactinomas emphasizing presentations and a treatment complication. The study group included six men and two women. The median age was 29 years (18–54 years); median serum prolactin level was 4,562 ng/ml (1,543–18,690 ng/ml); three patients (37.5%) had panhypopituitarism; median tumor diameter was 50 mm (41–60 mm). Five patients (62.5%) had visual field defects and three had improvement during treatment; six patients (75%) reached prolactin normalization, with a median time of 10.5 months (7–84 months) and median dose of 2.0 mg/week (1.0 to 3.0 mg/week). One patient presented as a true incidentaloma. One patient presented a cerebrospinal fluid leakage during medical treatment and refused surgery, however this resolved with conservative measures. This case series illustrate a rare subtype of macroprolactinomas, the importance of considering unusual presentations at the diagnosis, the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment and its possible complications.

RESUMO O objetivo desta série de casos é relatar oito pacientes com prolactinomas gigantes enfatizando as formas de apresentação e uma complicação do tratamento. O estudo incluiu seis homens e duas mulheres. A mediana de idade foi 29 anos (18–54); e dos níveis de prolactina foi 4.562 ng/ml (1.543–18.690); três pacientes (37,5%) apresentaram pan-hipopituitarismo; a mediana do máximo diâmetro tumoral foi 50 mm (41–60 mm). Cinco pacientes (62,5%) apresentaram alterações no campo visual e três tiveram melhora durante o tratamento; seis pacientes (75%) alcançaram normalização da prolactina em 10,5 meses (7–84) com dose mediana de cabergolina de 2,0 mg / semana (1,0 a 3,0). Um paciente se apresentou como um verdadeiro incidentaloma. Um paciente apresentou uma fistula liquórica durante o tratamento medicamentoso e recusou correção cirúrgica. No entanto a fistula foi resolvida com medidas conservadoras. Esta série de casos ilustra um subtipo raro de macroprolactinomas, a importância de considerar apresentações incomuns no diagnóstico, a eficácia do tratamento farmacológico e suas possíveis complicações.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Treatment with Dopamine Agonist and Subsequent Pregnancy with a Satisfactory Outcome / Tratamento da miocardiopatia periparto com agonista dopaminérgico e subsequente gestação com resultado satisfatório

Abstract Pathophysiological mechanisms of peripartum cardiomyopathy are not yet completely defined, although there is a strong association with various factors that are already known, including pre-eclampsia. Peripartum cardiomyopathy treatment follows the same recommendations as heart failure with systolic dysfunction. Clinical and experimental studies suggest that products of prolactin degradation can induce this cardiomyopathy. The pharmacological suppression of prolactin production by D2 dopamine receptor agonists bromocriptine and cabergoline has demonstrated satisfactory results in the therapeutic response to the treatment. Here we present a case of an adolescent patient in her first gestation with peripartum cardiomyopathy that evolved to the normalized left ventricular function after cabergoline administration, which was used as an adjuvant in cardiac dysfunction treatment. Subsequently, despite a short interval between pregnancies, the patient exhibited satisfactory progress throughout the entire gestation or puerperium in a new pregnancy without any cardiac alterations. Dopamine agonists that are orally used and are affordable in most tertiary centers, particularly in developing countries, should be considered when treating peripartum cardiomyopathy cases.

Resumo Os mecanismos fisiopatológicos da miocardiopatia periparto ainda não são totalmente definidos, apesar de haver forte associação com vários fatores já conhecidos, incluindo a pré-eclâmpsia. O tratamento segue as mesmas recomendações para a insuficiência cardíaca com disfunção sistólica. Estudos clínicos e experimentais recentes sugerem que os produtos de degradação da prolactina podem induzir a miocardiopatia. A supressão farmacológica da produção de prolactina por agonista do receptor D2 da dopamina, bromocriptina ou cabergolina, vem demonstrando resultados satisfatórios na resposta terapêutica do tratamento. Apresentamos o relato de uma primigesta, adolescente, com miocardiopatia periparto que evoluiu para a normalização da função ventricular esquerda após a administração da cabergolina, utilizada como adjuvante na terapêutica da disfunção cardíaca. Subsequentemente, apesar do intervalo entre as gestações ser considerado curto, apresentou evolução satisfatória em uma nova gestação sem qualquer alteração cardíaca durante todo o período gestacional ou puerpério. Os agonistas dopaminérgicos, drogas de uso oral e de preço acessível para a maioria dos centros terciários, em particular em países subdesenvolvidos, não podem ser esquecidos frente a casos de miocardiopatia periparto.

Piribedil and Pathological Gambling in six Parkinsonian patients / Piribedil e Jogo Patológico em seis pacientes parkinsonianos

Impulse control disorders (ICD) in Parkinson's disease (PD) have attracted increasing interest. They are characterized by the inability to control the impulse to perform an act that can be detrimental to them or to others. Although dopamine agonists (DA), as a group, have been associated with impulse control disorders (ICD), piribedil has rarely been reported to cause them. Method Case reports of six parkinsonian patients on piribedil presenting pathological gambling (PG). Results All of the patients presented ICD associated with piribedil use. Two of them received this medication as first treatment and four of them who had developed ICDs secondary to other DA that reappeared with piribedil. Conclusion Despite piribedil is commercially available in only a few countries, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of PG in patients with PD. .

Os distúrbios do controle do impulso (DCI) na doença de Parkinson (DP) têm atraído crescente interesse. Eles são caracterizados pela incapacidade da pessoa em controlar o impulso para realizar um ato que pode ser prejudicial a ela própria ou aos outros. Embora os agonistas dopaminérgicos (AD), como um grupo, têm sido associados com distúrbios do controle do impulso, o piribedil tem sido relatado raramente como causa dos mesmos. Método Relatos de seis casos de pacientes parkinsonianos em uso de piribedil apresentando jogo patológico (JP). Resultados Todos os pacientes apresentaram DCI com o uso do piribedil. Dois deles receberam piribedil como primeiro tratamento e quatro deles que haviam desenvolvido DCI devido a outro AD, reapresentaram o quadro com piribedil. Conclusão Apesar de o piribedil estar disponível comercialmente apenas em alguns países, deveria ser considerado no diagnóstico diferencial de JP em pacientes com DP. .

Clinical Characteristics and Pathophysiological Features of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Recent Advances and Future Challenges.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)/Willi’s-Ekbom disease (WED) or Jimmy Legs is a neurological sensory-motor disorder that causes intense restlessness and unpleasant creepy-crawly feelings inside the lower legs at rest. It can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary (symptomatic) and affects 7-10% of general population with a significant female predominance. RLS is generally associated with conditions like iron deficiency, low serum ferritin levels, pregnancy, menopause, chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis etc, however, the relationship is not completely understood. In this review, I discussed recent developments on epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and clinical management of RLS.

Effect of Parkinson's disease treatment guideline on medicine treatment / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of Parkinson's disease treatment guideline on the initial medicine therapy and to explore the impact of hospital grade level and type of insurance on the initial prescription for Parkinson's disease.Methods We identified 136 PD patients as part of a population-based study in Beijing and made a comparison between the patients with initial prescriptions of dopamine receptor agonists (DA) and levodopa (LD).Results Among 136 patients,excluding patients without initial medication of levodopa or dopamine receptor agonist,there were 61 cases with initial drug administration aged ≥ 65 years.Among the 61 cases,1 cases and 19 cases administrated dopamine receptor agonist and levodopa respectively before 2006,1 case and 11 cases respectively from 2007 to 2009,and 5 cases and 24 cases respectively after 2010.There was no significant difference in the percentage between patients with initial administration of levodopa and dopamine receptor agonist in the three periods (x2 =1.891,P =0.388).In 41 patients with initial drug administration of dopamine receptor agonist or levodopa aged＜65 years,1 cases and 23 cases administrated dopamine receptor agonist or levodopa respectively before 2006,0 case and 10 cases respectively from 2007 to 2009,and 3 cases and 4 cases respectively after 2010.There was significant differences in the percentage between patients with initial administration of levodopa and dopamine receptor agonist in the three periods (x2 =10.644,P=0.005).The percentage of patients with initial administration of dopamine receptor agonist aged＜65 years was increased after 2010 as compared before 2006 (x2 =7.219,P=0.028).There were no significant differences in the percentage of patients with initial administration of dopamine receptor agonist between grade 3 and non-grade 3 hospitals (13.6％ vs.6.3％,x2=0.675,P=0.686)and between patients with and without insurance (13.1％ vs.10.0％,x2=0.141,P=1.000).Conclusions The percentage of patients with initial administration of levodopa and dopamine receptor agonist has no significant difference between patients with initial drug administration aged ≥ 65 years before and after the introduction of Parkinson's disease treatment guideline,while the percentage is increased in patients with initial drug administration aged＜65 years.No impact of hospital grade level and type of insurance on initial administration for Parkinson's disease is found.

The Effect of Ropinirole on the Quality of Life in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome in Korea: An 8-Week, Multicenter, Prospective Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dopamine agonists are first-line drugs for treating the symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS). However, few studies have investigated the effect of dopamine agonists on the quality of life (QoL) in RLS patients. We conducted a study to determine whether ropinirole exerts positive effects on the QoL in RLS patients and to analyze the underlying factors. METHODS: Primary RLS patients from eight medical centers were recruited in the study. They were evaluated in the baseline phase using various questionnaires including the Korean versions of the International Restless Legs Scale (K-IRLS), RLS QoL questionnaire (K-RLSQoL), and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). After taking ropinirole for 8 weeks the same questionnaires were again completed as a re-evaluation. We analyzed the statistical difference using a paired t-test, a Pearson's correlation, and a stepwise multiple regression in order to identify the factors associated with the QoL change. RESULTS: A total of 107 subjects, including 65 (60.7%) females, completed this study. They were aged 51.68+/-14.80 years (mean+/-SD) and had a symptom duration of 8.8+/-9.0 months. After treatment with ropinirole, there were significant improvements on the K-RLSQoL, SF-36, and K-IRLS. The Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the improvement of QoL in RLS patients was significantly correlated with the severity of RLS (r=0.236, p<0.014) at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study suggest that treatment with ropinirole can improve the QoL in RLS patients. The improvement in the QoL is more related with the improvement of RLS symptoms.

Update in Prolactinomas / 한양의대학술지

Prolactinomas are frequent causes of gonadal dysfunction and infertility. Dopamine agonists are the main treatment of prolactinoma and the excellent efficacy of the dopamine agonist is well known. Current challenges related to the treatment of prolactinomas include the relationship of long term use of cabergoline and cardiac valvulopathy, the remission after discontinuation of dopamine agonists, the management of pregnant women with prolactinoma, and the role for surgery on long-term management of prolactioma. Herein, these current issues and questions in the management of prolactinomas, including safety of cabergoline, recurrence after discontinuance of dopamine agonist, pregnancy, and role of surgical resection are addressed.

Teste da ibopamina tópica em pacientes normais, suspeitos e portadores de glaucoma / Topic ibopamine test in normal, suspects and glaucoma patients

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os efeitos da ibopamina tópica a 2 por cento sobre a Pio (pressão intraocular) em olhos normais, suspeitos e olhos com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto (GPAA) e sua eficácia como teste provocativo para glaucoma. MÉTODO: Foram selecionados 10 pacientes (20 olhos) com GPAA, 10 pacientes (20 olhos) suspeitos de GPAA e 10 pacientes (20 olhos) normais e submetidos ao teste da ibopamina a 2 por cento. O teste foi considerado positivo quando, em uma das medidas (30, 45 e 60 minutos) após a instilação de 2 gotas de colírio de ibopamina a 2 por cento, com intervalo de 5 minutos entre as gotas, houve aumento da Pio maior ou igual a 4 mmHg. RESULTADOS: O teste da Ibopamina foi positivo em 16 (80 por cento) olhos com GPAA (grupo 1), 9 (45 por cento) olhos suspeitos (grupo 2) e 6 (30 por cento) dos olhos considerados normais (grupo 3). A melhor relação sensibilidade/especificidade foi observada no minuto 60 para ambos os olhos (área sob a curva ROC: 0,90; sensibilidade: 90 por cento e especificidade: 90 por cento). Todos os pacientes referiram discreta ardência à instilação do colírio. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a ibopamina em forma de colírio pode representar uma alternativa na avaliação do equilíbrio hidrodinâmico intraocular em olhos com glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the effects of topic ibopamine in normal eyes, suspects and eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) as well as your efficacy as a provocative test for glaucoma. METHODS: 10 POAG pacients (20 eyes), 10 pacients suspects of POAG (20 eyes) and 10 normal Pacients (20 eyes) were selected and submitted to the topic ibopamine test. The test was considered positive when in one of the measures (30, 45 and 60 minutes) after instillation of 2 drops of 2 percent ibopamine, 5 minutes apart, the intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation was = 4 mmHg. RESULTS: The ibopamine test was positive in 16 (88 percent) eyes with POAG, 9 (45 percent) eyes suspects of POAG and 6 (30 percent) normal eyes. The best sensitivity/specificity ratio was achieved at 60 minutes for both eyes (Se/Sp: 90 percent) . All patients described a slight burning after ibopamine's instillation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggests that topical 2 percent ibopamine is a secure alternative to evaluate outflow system impairment in eyes with glaucoma.

Seniors with Parkinson's Disease: Initial Medical Treatment

Parkinson's disease most often presents after age 60, and patients in this age group are best managed with levodopa therapy as the primary treatment modality. Unlike young-onset parkinsonism (onset

Seniors with Parkinson's Disease: Initial Medical Treatment

Parkinson's disease most often presents after age 60, and patients in this age group are best managed with levodopa therapy as the primary treatment modality. Unlike young-onset parkinsonism (onset

Síndrome de piernas inquietas: enfoque diagnóstico y tratamiento / Restless leg syndrome: diagnostic and therapeutical approach

El Síndrome de Piernas Inquietas (SPI) es un desorden sensitivo motor primario, frecuente pero subdiagnosticado. Clínicamente definido por la (I) Urgencia o irresistible necesidad de mover las piernas, acompañada de sensación desagradable en ellas, (II) La presentación de los síntomas o empeoramiento durante el sueño, el reposo o la inactividad, (III) La mejoría total o parcial moviendo las piernas y (IV) El empeoramiento o aparición principalmente al atardecer o durante la noche. El reto diagnóstico es diferenciar el SPI de los trastornos con síntomas parecidos como son la polineuropatía, el mioclonus, la enfermedad arterial entre otros, para poder dar a cada paciente el mejor tratamiento dependiendo de su grado de compromiso, sus síntomas dolorosos asociados y las coomorbilidades presentes. Existen varias opciones de tratamiento como la levodopa, el gabapentín y el hierro oral, pero los agonistas dopaminérgicos persisten como el manejo de elección ya que la mayoría de los pacientes responden favorablemente con ellos.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a primary sensoriomotor disorder, common but underdiagnosed. RLS is clinically defined by (I) an urge to move the legs accompanied by unpleasant feeling in them, (II) a worsening of symptoms with sleep, rest or inactivity, (III) total or parcial improvement with activity and (IV) a worsening of symptoms in the evening and at night. The challenge is to differentiate the SPI diagnosis of disorders with similar symptoms such as polyneuropathy, the myoclonus, arterial disease among others, to give each patient the best treatment depending on their degree of involvement, symptoms and comorbidities present. There are several treatment options such as levodopa, gabapentin and oral iron, but dopamine agonists persist as the management of choice because most patients respond favorably to them.