Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to synthesize evidence from published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the efficacy of creatine for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Creatine is an ergogenic compound that showed neuroprotective effects in animal models PD. Creatine was selected by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as a possible disease modifying agent for Parkinson’s disease. Therefore, many clinical trials evaluated the efficacy of creatine for patients with PD.

Methods: A computer literature search for PubMed, EBSCO, Web of science and Ovid Midline was carried out. We included RCTs comparing creatine with placebo in terms of motor functions and quality of life. Outcomes of total Unified Parkinson’s disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), UPDRS I, UPDRS II, and UPDRS III were pooled as mean difference (MD) between two groups from baseline to the endpoint. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed by visual inspection of the forest plot and measured by chi-square and I-square tests.

Results: Three RCTs (870 patients) were included in this study. The overall effect did not favor either of the two groups in terms of: total UPDRS score (MD -1.07, 95% CI [-3.38 to 1.25], figure 1), UPDRS III (MD -0.62, 95% CI [-2.27 to 1.02], figure 1), UPDRS II (MD 0.03, 95% CI [-0.81 to 0.86], figure 2), or UPDRS I (MD -0.03, 95% CI [-0.33 to 0.28], figure 2). For all outcomes, no significant heterogeneity was found. Figure 1: UPDRS total score and UPDRS III Figure 2: UPDRS II and UPDRS I

Conclusions: Creatine supplementation does not slow the progress of Parkinson’s disease or provide any symptomatic benefit for PD patients.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/creatine-for-patients-with-parkinsons-disease-a-meta-analysis/