Long-Term Outcomes of Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Patients With Parkinson's Disease: 10 Years and Beyond

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/360...

Methods: We investigated all 81 patients including 37 males and 44 females who underwent bilateral STN DBS from March 2005 to March 2008 at a single institution. The current survival status of the patients was investigated. Preoperative and postoperative follow-up assessments were analyzed.

Results: The mean age at the time of surgery was 62 (range 27-82) years, and the median clinical follow-up duration was 145 months. Thirty-five patients (43%) died during the follow-up period. The mean duration from DBS surgery to death was 110.46 ± 40.8 (range 0-155) months. The cumulative survival rate is as follows: 98.8 ± 1.2% (1 year), 95.1 ± 2.4% (5 years), and 79.0 ± 4.5% (10 years). Of the 81 patients, 33 (40%) were ambulatory up to more than 11 years. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score was significantly improved until 5 years after surgery although it showed a tendency to increase again after 10 years. The patient group with both electrodes located within the STN showed a higher rate of survival and maintained ambulation.

Conclusion: STN DBS is a safe and effective treatment for patients with advanced PD. This study based on the long-term follow-up of large patient populations can be used to elucidate the long-term fate of patients who underwent bilateral STN DBS for PD.

[MBAnderson]

The average age at the time of the procedure was 62 y.o. and 43% were dead within 10 years.

Surely, 43% of pwp at age 62 - who don't have DBS - don't die within 10 years (and 60% were not ambulatory after 11 years also doesn't compare favorably with the control.)

"STN DBS is a safe and effective..." Apparently, depends on how you define safe and effective

[WinnieThePoo in reply to MBAnderson]

Lies, damn lies and statistics! The mean average age was 62. A lot were older, and a lot younger. For the 82 year old to have died within 10 years was not so remarkable