[Optimum dosage of pergolide in patients with Parkinson's disease]

For the purpose of determining the optimal dose, pergolide was administered to patients with Parkinson's disease using a dose-escalation protocol up to the maximum dosage permissible in Japan. The study was completed in 16 subjects with Parkinson's disease. Prior to the start of the dose-escalation study, the daily dose of pergolide was 500 microg in 6 patients and 750 microg in 10 patients. The daily dose was raised by 250 microg at 4-week intervals up to the approved maximum dose of 1,250 microg/day, which was used as the final level. Just before the start of study and after administration for 4 weeks at each dose level, UPDRS-III and PDQ-39 assessments were performed. The mean UPDRS-III score was 28.6 +/- 7.9 before the start of the study and 17.3 +/- 8.3 after the end, indicating an improvement (improvement rate, 39.3%; p < 0.01). The mean PDQ-39 score was 45.2 +/- 21.8 before the start and 37.3 +/- 17.8 after the end, indicating an improvement (improvement rate, 17.5%; p < 0.05). Clinical conditions including their QOL improved significantly after dose-escalation up to the 1,250 microg.