TITLE:
Frequency and Associated Factors of Autonomic Dysfunction in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease in Khartoum State
AUTHORS:
Abdel Mumin Sidahmed, Husam A. M. Ali
KEYWORDS:
Idiopathic Parkinson Disease, Autonomic Dysfunctions, Associated Factors, Frequency
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Parkinson's Disease,
Vol.8 No.4,
November
1,
2019
ABSTRACT: Background: Autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinson
disease is a frequent and disabling complication, with an estimated prevalence
of 47% and has a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to
determine the frequency of autonomic dysfunction among Sudanese Parkinson
patients and identify possible risk factors attribute to develop autonomic
dysfunction and to assess the extent to which the progression of dysautonomia
affects activities of daily living, health-related quality of life. Methods: In this descriptive perspective, cross-sectional hospital-based study,
51 patients were studied using standardized questionnaire including history and
clinical examination. Results: A total of 51 patients have been examined:
male to female ratio 1.5:1; mean age 55 ± 5 years; Parkinson disease duration,
7 ± 2 years. 47% of the patients had one or more symptoms of autonomic
dysfunction with mean age 59 ± 10. Constipation and bloating were the most
common symptoms where sweating abnormality was the least symptoms to observe.
The symptom of autonomic dysfunction has been worse with disease progression in
50% of the patients and 47% of the patients reported that both motors and
autonomic dysfunction symptoms were causing disability than autonomic
dysfunction symptoms alone. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that
autonomic dysfunction is not only common in Parkinson Disease, but it increases
in severity with increasing disease stages. Older age with long disease
duration was also considered along with advanced disease stages strong factors
determining the presence of autonomic dysfunction. The study recommends that
symptoms of autonomic dysfunction survey be a routine aspect of the evaluation
of Parkinson disease patients, especially with advanced age.