Clinical and economic results of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson’s disease

Background: High frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an alternative but expensive neurosurgical treatment for parkinsonian patients with levodopa induced motor complications. Objective: To assess the safety, clinical effects, quality of life, and economic cost of STN stimulation. Methods: We conducted a prospective multicentre study in 95 consecutive Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients receiving bilateral STN stimulation and assessed its effects over 12 months. A double blind randomised motor evaluation was carried out at 3 month follow up, and quality of life, self care ability, and predictive factors of outcome following surgery were assessed. The cost of PD was estimated over 6 months before and after surgery. Results: The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score improved by 57% (p Conclusions: STN stimulation has good outcomes with relatively low risk and little cost burden in PD patients with levodopa induced motor complications.