Dopaminergic Agents And Nutritional Status In Parkinson'S Disease

BackgroundMalnutrition has been found in up to 24% of patients with Parkinson's disease; dopaminergic drugs might impair nutritional status. We evaluated the association of nutritional status with the use of dopaminergic agents.MethodsWe analyzed data from 75 elderly patients with Parkinson's disease attending a geriatric day hospital. Nutritional status was assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Dopaminergic drugs were normalized for weight.ResultsIn linear regression, total levodopa (l-dopa) equivalent daily dose (LEDD) was associated with worse MNA (B=-0.14, 95% CI=-0.26--0.02; P=0.019). This association remained significant only for l-dopa (B=-0.19, 95% CI=-0.32--0.52; P=0.007), but not dopaminergic agent dosages. Increasing l-dopa dosages were associated with increasing probability of risk of malnutrition (P for trend=0.049).ConclusionsIn our population, LEDD was associated with worse nutritional status and risk of malnutrition; this association was limited to use of l-dopa. (c) 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society