Satisfaction and Preferences for Infusion Therapies in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease—Patient Perspective
Julia Węgrzynek-Gallina,
Tomasz Chmiela,
Michał Borończyk,
Aleksandra Buczek,
Patrycja Hudzińska,
Hubert Bigajski,
Damian Waksmundzki,
Justyna Gawryluk,
Joanna Siuda
Affiliations
Julia Węgrzynek-Gallina
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, University Clinical Centre Prof K. Gibinski, Medical University of Silesia, 14 Medykow St. 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Tomasz Chmiela
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, University Clinical Centre Prof K. Gibinski, Medical University of Silesia, 14 Medykow St. 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Michał Borończyk
Department of Neurology, School of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 45/47 Ziolowa St., 40-635 Katowice, Poland
Aleksandra Buczek
Students’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 14 Medykow St, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Patrycja Hudzińska
Students’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 14 Medykow St, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Hubert Bigajski
Students’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 14 Medykow St, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Damian Waksmundzki
Students’ Scientific Association, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 14 Medykow St, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Justyna Gawryluk
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, University Clinical Centre Prof K. Gibinski, Medical University of Silesia, 14 Medykow St. 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Joanna Siuda
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, University Clinical Centre Prof K. Gibinski, Medical University of Silesia, 14 Medykow St. 40-752 Katowice, Poland
Background and Objectives: The rapid growth of the number of advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients has caused a significant increase in the use of device-aided therapies (DATs), including levodopa–carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) and continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (CSAI). The objective of this study was to evaluate patients’ satisfaction and the factors influencing preferences for CSAI and LCIG. Materials and Methods: The research focused on individuals diagnosed with advanced PD undergoing DAT at the Neurology Department of the University Hospital in Katowice. A telephone survey conducted between June and July 2024 evaluated the experiences of patients with LCIG and CSAI. The Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8) and the Stress Scale for Family Caregivers (BSFC-s) were applied. Based on medical record data comprising reasons for the exclusion of individuals, disease-related and treatment data were collected. Results: Among the original cohort of 64 patients, 50 completed the survey, including 31 who might choose between infusion therapies. The average patient ages were 70.6 ± 4.7 (CSAI) and 71.2 ± 7.2 years (LCIG), with disease durations of 15 (IQR: 12–19) and 18 (IQR: 13–19) years, respectively. LCIG patients presented higher PDQ-8 scores (20 (IQR: 13–27) vs. 13 (IQR: 6–19), p = 0.008), and higher BSFC-s scores (19 (IQR: 12–21) vs. 9 (IQR: 2.5–13), p = 0.011). Furthermore, significant factors influencing patient preferences included fear of surgery (75% vs. 36.8%, p = 0.043) and concerns about DAT safety (83.3% vs. 47.4%, p = 0.049). Conclusions: LCIG and CSAI therapies offer benefits and disadvantages, with safety concerns and fear of surgery seeming to be decisive in the decision-making process.
