RETRACTED: Efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy on neuroleptic malignant syndrome in Parkinson's disease (Retracted Article)

Background: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a dangerous complication in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy compared to placebo in PD patients with NMS. Methods: In a double blind, placebo controlled study, 20 PD patients with NMS received steroid pulse therapy for three days, and 20 PD patients received placebo. Both groups received levodopa, bromo-criptine, and dantrolene. Results: NMS in the steroid group healed within 10 days in 17 patients; median value of duration of illness of NMS in this group was 7 days ( range 4-20). NMS in the placebo group healed within 10 days in five patients; in the remaining 15, it persisted for 12-27 days after the onset of NMS; median value of duration illness of NMS in this group was 18 days. Hyperthermia, rigidity, and consciousness improved within 10 days in many patients in the steroid group; these signs persisted more than 10 days in many patients in the placebo group. Conclusions: Steroid pulse therapy is useful in NMS for reducing the illness duration and improving symptoms.