Outpatient treatment of Parkinson's disease

A retrospective study of the treatment of 148 patients with severe parkinsonism is reported. After dopa preparation was introduced as a treatment for Parkinson's disease the progress of the disease has changed. More patients with first signs after 1970 had mild progression of disease compared to patients with a debut before 1970. In addition, the population with manifestations after 1970 had fewer cases of severe progression. Adverse effects of dopa treatment had been observed in 70% of the patients. After 5 years of treatment with dopa preparation, 62.1% of the patients had momentary peak-dose dyskinesia. After 2 years of treatment 14.2% of the patients had on-off effects with higher incidence after further treatment. One hundred and fifteen patients have been treated with bromocriptine, 27 patients for more than 5 years.