Expert perspectives on the use of safinamide for Parkinson’s disease in Portugal: insights from a Portuguese Delphi Consensus

Aim: Safinamide is an approved medication for managing motor fluctuations in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, limited data exist regarding its application in clinical practice in Portugal and the perspectives of Portuguese neurologists on its use. To address this, a group of Portuguese specialists with recognized expertise in PD management convened to compile the insights on various aspects of safinamide use in PD patients among the field and to develop recommendations aimed at informing and guiding physicians in Portugal on its optimal clinical application. Materials & methods: A focus group composed of nine Portuguese PD experts developed a questionnaire building on the 2022 European Delphi study, and employed a Delphi methodology approach to gather the views of Portuguese neurologists with a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience with safinamide (n = 35). A final online questionnaire comprising 35 statements was administered in a single-round Delphi format, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus was defined as achieving ≥66% agreement or disagreement among the panelists. Results: A strong consensus emerged among Portuguese neurologists regarding the therapeutic efficacy of safinamide in addressing motor symptoms, motor fluctuations and quality of life. Additionally, agreement was reached on its positive effects on nonmotor symptoms such as sleep, fatigue, mood, quality of life and pain management. However, no consensus was achieved regarding safinamide’s efficacy in managing orthostatic hypotension, cognitive issues, urinary and sexual dysfunction, as well as its safety profile in PD patients with hallucinations. Overall, the opinions of Portuguese neurologists aligned closely with those of their European counterparts. Conclusion: This Delphi study highlights the consensus among Portuguese neurologists on the efficacy of safinamide for managing motor symptoms in PD. The considerations presented herein offer essential guidance for effectively managing PD with safinamide, ultimately enhancing patient care in Portugal. Plain language summary: Expert views on using safinamide for Parkinson’s disease management in Portugal What is this article about? This article discusses how Portuguese neurologists view the use of safinamide in treating Parkinson’s disease (PD). Safinamide is a medication that helps manage movement difficulties and other symptoms in PD patients. The article provides insights from a group of experts in Portugal who discussed the medication’s effectiveness and developed recommendations for its use in clinical practice. What methodology is described? A group of nine Portuguese PD specialists developed a questionnaire based on a 2022 European study, which included 35 statements about safinamide’s effects. The experts then provided their opinions on these statements using a 5-point scale. A consensus was reached when at least 66% of the panel agreed on a statement. The results showed that most neurologists agreed on safinamide’s effectiveness in managing motor symptoms and improving quality of life. What do the results mean? Why is this important? The findings highlight that safinamide is effective in treating motor symptoms and improving quality of life for PD patients in Portugal. The experts also agreed on its positive effects on nonmotor symptoms like sleep, fatigue and mood. However, there was no consensus on its effectiveness for issues like cognitive problems or sexual dysfunction. These insights are important because they provide doctors in Portugal with clear guidance on how to use safinamide effectively, helping to improve patient care and treatment outcomes.