Assessment of Non-motor Symptoms in Patients with Early Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Introduction. Parkinson‘s disease is the second most frequent neurodegene- rative disorder. Early diagnosis is important to provide effective management with a better prognosis for the patient. A variety of non-motor symptoms appear before the classic al motor symptoms of Parkinson‘s disease. These non-motor symptoms appear for years and even decades before the actual disease onset and can point to an early diagnosis.

Aim. The present study aims to evaluate the frequency of non-motor parkin- sonian symptoms among patients with early stages of disease, when motor symptoms are mild and do not cause disability in the patients.

Materials and Method. The study group was represented by 32 patients with incipient Parkinson’s disease, in which the revised questionnaire NMS – PD QUEST (Parkinson disease - non-motor symptoms) was applied. This questionnaire includes 30 questions about the existence of non-motor complaints, autonomic and neuro- psychiatric.

Results. The most common detected non-motor symptoms was the autonomous vegetative functions disturbances (orthostatic hypotension (81.25%), constipation (65.62%), nocturia (75%)), psychiatric symptoms (depression) and hipoosmia.

Conclusions. Non-motor symptoms are currently accepted as an integral part of the clinical picture and pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease. Their prompt identification is required in order to establish an early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment of the disease.