Patient characteristics and drug prescribing pattern in Parkinson disease: A hospital based study in Sri Lanka

Purpose of the study: To describe the demographic factors, pattern of anti-Parkinsonism drugs used and to identify factors influencing treatment in PD patients attending Colombo South Teaching Hospital (CSTH) in Sri Lanka.

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at CSTH during March 2012 - September 2012, recruiting patients with PD (according to diagnostic criteria of the United Kingdom Parkinson’s Disease Society Brain Bank) attending neurology and medical clinics.

Results: There were 103 PD patients, with a mean age of 64 yrs (SD 9.6, range 43-86) and 58 (56.3%) were males. Duration of illness ranged from 1 month to 15 yrs (median 2 yrs) and average age of onset was 61yrs (SD 9.6, range 41 - 82). 13 patients (12.6%) had onset of PD before 50yrs. Majority (n=57, 55.3%) had at least one co-morbidity. Levodopa alone was the treatment in 100 (97.1%) patients, Ropinirole alone in one, and 10 (9.7%) on Levodopa and Ropinirole combination with 2 (2%) drug-naïve patients. Benzhexol was used in 82 (79.6%) patients. Sex, disease severity, duration of illness, education level or employment status did not differ between treatment groups.

Conclusion: PD is a commonly seen neurodegenerative disorder in hospital outpatient clinics and majority had other co-morbidities. Levodopa and Benzhexol are the commonly used drugs in Sri Lanka. Use of dopa agonists are much less common when compared to other countries. Age, the age of onset of PD, cost, and availability are major determinants of treatment.