PREVALENCE OF NON-MOTOR SYMPTOMS IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE – AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Titus Mihai Vasile, Adina Maria Roceanu, Florina Antochi and Ovidiu Alexandru Bajenaru

ABSTRACT

Objectives. This study aim is to evaluate the prevalence of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease

Methodology. We conducted an observational study in a prospective approach on a cohort of 70 patients admitted with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in the Neurology Department of the University Emergency Hospital Bucharest for pre-surgery assessment or referred for a consultation to the Outpatient Department of Neurology of the Central Military Emergency Hospital, “Carol Davila” in the last two quarters of 2007, using a technique based on questionnaire (NMSQuest).

Results. Patients included in this study were generally elderly, with a long relative history of disease. They are mostly in the moderate stage of disease and used treatment regimens with combinations of drugs. Prevalence of some non-motor symptoms according to the answers of patients in NMS questionnaire (NMSQuest), like: depression, memory impairment sleep disturbances, sexual disturbances, „light head”, constipation was statistically significant high in our group of patients.

Conclusions. Non-Motor Questionnaire (NMSQuest) can be a useful clinically tool for detecting the common nonmotor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Prevalence of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease is high and require further evaluation of their impact on patient’s quality of life.

Keywords: Parkinson disease, non-motor symptoms, prevalence, NMSQuest

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