Selegiline use is associated with a slower progression in early Parkinson's disease as evaluated by Hoehn and Yahr Stage transition times

This study was carried out to evaluate the association between selegiline use and Parkinson's disease (PD) progression in a clinical sample by evaluating modified Hoehn and Yahr Stage (H&Y) stage transition times. Data were obtained from the movement disorder database of the National Neuroscience Institute in Singapore. Cox regression analysis was used to examine the association between baseline variables and H&Y stage transition times. In multi-variate Cox regression analysis, patients who were of younger age, shorter PD duration, lower Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores, on selegiline treatment (>= 3 years) and not on COMT inhibitors were associated with longer transition times from stage 2-2.5. Patients who were treated with selegiline (>= 3 years) and not on COMT inhibitors experienced longer transition times from stage 2.5-3. In conclusion, selegiline use for 3 years or more in early PD was associated with a slower progression of PD as evaluated by H&Y transition times. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.