Objective: To determine the long-term weight changes in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) after Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) treatment.

Background: It is well-established that PD patients treated with STN DBS had weight gain after operation and had associated co-morbidities. However, the results were mostly generated from early and short-term follow up ranging from 6 months to 3 years. Long-term outcome in terms of weight changes at 5 years was generally undetermined.

Methods: Study design is prospective observational study. Data analysis was conducted on a prospective DBS Registry established since January 2009. Baseline body weight was recorded before DBS surgery. Subsequent body weight was prospectively measured after DBS at post-operatively 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 3 years and 5 years. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results: In total 74 DBS patients were identified in the registry. 70 were STN (95.6%) and 4 were GPi. Post DBS 1 year and 2 years had significant weight gain from baseline with a difference of +4.29kg (95%CI 0.419 to 8.178, p=0.0302*) and +4.66kg (95%CI 0.408 to 8.909, p=0.0320*) respectively. However there was weight loss since post DBS 2nd year to 3rd year with a net change of -0.961kg (95%CI -3.746 to +5.667, p=0.685) and from 3rd year to 5th year a net change of -1.187kg (95%CI -0.363 to +2.737, p=0.123). Overall the body weight was highest at post-operative year 2. Weight loss was significant from post DBS 2nd year to 5th year with a net weight change of -2.993kg (95%CI -4.579 to -1.408, p=0.0012*). No independent associated factors were identified.

Conclusions: Post DBS body weight peaked at post-operative 2 years. There was subsequent weight loss in long-term at 5 years from this observational study. The underlying causation is yet to be elucidated.

References: 1. Novakova L, Ruzicka E, Jech R, Serranova T, Dusek P, Urgosik D: Increase in body weight is a non-motor side effect of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson’s disease. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 28:21–5, 2007. 2. Balestrino R, Baroncini D, Fichera M, Donofrio CA, Franzin A, Mortini P, et al: Weight gain after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease is influenced by dyskinesias’ reduction and electrodes’ position. Neurol Sci 38:2123–2129, 2017.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/weight-loss-in-stn-dbs-in-parkinsons-disease-long-term-outcome-of-a-prospective-cohort-at-5-years/