This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Abstract
Objective: To assess the frequency and disability caused by nonmotor fluctuations (NMF) in PD.
Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to 50 patients with PD with motor fluctuations (MF), focused on 54 nonmotor symptoms classified in three subgroups: 26 dysautonomic, 21 cognitive and psychiatric, and seven pain/sensory NMF. The link between each NMF and the motor state was determined. Patients were asked to grade their disability from 0 (no disability) to 4 (maximum discomfort) and to specify which kind of fluctuation subgroup (motor or nonmotor) was the most incapacitating. A statistical analysis was performed to determine the frequency of each NMF and to determine whether the level of disability resulting from NMF could be correlated to the main characteristics of the population.
Results: All patients had had at least one type of NMF, most of which were associated with the “off” state. Anxiety (66%), drenching sweats (64%), slowness of thinking (58%), fatigue (56%), and akathisia (54%) were the most frequent NMF. Some symptoms such as anxiety or dyspnea correlated with a greater level of disability. The total number of NMF was found to be correlated with the motor disability. Incapacity resulting from the dysautonomic fluctuations was also significantly correlated with levodopa treatment. Surprisingly, 28% of the patients stated that NMF involved a greater degree of disability than MF.
Conclusion: Nonmotor fluctuations are frequent and debilitating in PD.
- Received December 12, 2001.
- Accepted April 6, 2002.
AAN Members
We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.
AAN Non-Member Subscribers
Purchase access
Disputes & Debates: Rapid online correspondence
REQUIREMENTS
If you are uploading a letter concerning an article:
You must have updated your disclosures within six months: http://submit.neurology.org
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.