Aims

Our aim is to evaluate the effects of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on the quality of life in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients by using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI).

Materials and methods

26 patients with idiopathic PD who underwent STN–DBS were evaluated by the GIQLI test before and 3 months after STN–DBS. Also the medications used by the patients and The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale scores were compared.

Results

Mean GIQLI score was improved from 84.48±6.19 to122.89±3.34 at postoperative period and the difference was statistically significance. Also the number of patients who needs medications for the gastrointestinal symptoms decreased significantly in the postoperative period.

Conclusion

STN–DBS leads to improved quality of life by reducing the gastrointestinal symptoms in PD patients. We consider that STN–DBS exerts this effect by regulating both the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems and by reducing the need for dopamine agonists that have gastrointestinal side effects.