[Duodenal levodopa infusion for advanced Parkinson's disease in Finland 2006-2010].

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used for treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) since 1990's. Duodenal levodopa infusion (DLI) has been available since 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient records of DLI patients and clinical data of DBS patients from 2006-2010 were requested from all university and central hospitals in Finland. RESULTS: DLI was tested on 105 patients. 84 had a favourable response and were on long-term treatment. 85 patients underwent DBS operation. Technical problems and complications were common in DLI treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: DLI has become as popular as DBS in the treatment of advanced PD, but has a quite high complication rate.