Long-term mortality analysis in Parkinson's disease treated with deep brain stimulation

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Gerontology

Background:

• Limited data exist on long-term mortality in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients after deep brain stimulation (DBS).
• Understanding survival rates and causes of death is crucial for managing PD patients undergoing advanced therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze long-term mortality rates in Parkinson's disease patients treated with deep brain stimulation.
• To identify the primary causes and contributing factors of mortality in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 184 consecutive Parkinson's disease patients who received deep brain stimulation.
• Long-term follow-up to record mortality events, causes of death, and patient demographics.

Main Results:

• Fifteen deaths (8.15%) occurred over a mean follow-up of 50 months, with an annual mortality rate of 1.94%.
• The primary causes of death were stroke, myocardial infarction, other vascular/cardiac disorders, and severe infections.
• Five-year survival rates were 94%, suggesting improved longevity in treated patients.

Conclusions:

• Long-term survival is generally expected for Parkinson's disease patients treated with deep brain stimulation.
• Mortality in this population is predominantly associated with vascular events and infections.
• Survival rates may be higher than previously anticipated, warranting further investigation.