Aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of use and prescribing pattern of Anti-Parkinson Drugs (APDs) in general practice of Southern Italy. Among 120,000 individuals registered in the lists of 93 general practitioners of Southern Italy, we estimated one-year prevalence and incidence of APD use in the years 2003-2005. Overall, prevalence of APD use remained stable over the years and it strongly increased in subjects over 70 years of age. L-Dopa with a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor was the most frequently prescribed APD, although the use of both ergot and non-ergot derivative DAs has increased, particularly, in the elderly. A high proportion of APD users (15-20%) received only one prescription during the study period.
Prescribing pattern of anti-Parkinson drugs in Southern Italy: Cross-sectional analysis in the years 2003-2005.
TRIFIRO', Gianluca;MORGANTE, Letterio;SPINA, Edoardo;CAPUTI, Achille;ARCORACI, Vincenzo
2008-01-01
Abstract
Aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of use and prescribing pattern of Anti-Parkinson Drugs (APDs) in general practice of Southern Italy. Among 120,000 individuals registered in the lists of 93 general practitioners of Southern Italy, we estimated one-year prevalence and incidence of APD use in the years 2003-2005. Overall, prevalence of APD use remained stable over the years and it strongly increased in subjects over 70 years of age. L-Dopa with a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor was the most frequently prescribed APD, although the use of both ergot and non-ergot derivative DAs has increased, particularly, in the elderly. A high proportion of APD users (15-20%) received only one prescription during the study period.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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