Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate non-motor symptoms of the patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and to investigate possible relationships of non-motor symptoms with motor complications and other features of the disease.

Patients and Methods: A total of 67 patients with PD (24 females, 43 males; mean age 66.4±9.1 years; range 35 to 80 years) were included. In addition to detailed medical history and neurological examination, all demographic, clinical and therapeutic data were recorded. Patients were questioned about cardiovascular, sexual, urological, gastrointestinal, sudomotor symptoms and sleep disorders. Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) scale, unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS), mini mental test and Hamilton depression rating scale were used for further evaluation.

Results: The mean disease duration was 5.0±4.9 years. Most of the patients were on stage 2 (44.8%) on H-Y scale and the mean UPDRS score was 31.94±16.35. Cognitive impairment was found in 35 patients (53%) and depression was positive in 55 patients (80.6%). With detailed questioning, urinary symptoms were recognized in 47 patients (70.1%), sleep disorders in 40 patients (59.7%), psychiatric symptoms in 39 patients (58.2%), sexual dysfunctions in 37 patients (55.2%), gastrointestinal system symptoms in 36 patients (53.7%) and sudomotor abnormalities in 25 patients (37.3%).

Conclusion: Detailed questioning and taking into consideration of non-motor symptoms in treatment planning of PD patients is of utmost importance for quality of life of these patients.