Evaluation of the Frequency of Non-Motor Symptoms in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease by Gender and Disease Stage

Abstract

Objective: Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (IPD) is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disease affecting basal ganglia, especially the substantia nigra pars compacta, and dopaminergic neurons in the brain stem. Although IPD is defined as a movement disorder with motor symptoms, it also affects many systems such as limbic, autonomic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems. The aim of our study is to evaluate the frequency of NMS in IPD, which is often overlooked in clinical practice and has serious effects on patients' quality of life. Matherials and Methods: A total of 97 patients were included in the study, 31 of whom were in the mild stage, 30 in the moderate stage, and 36 in the severe stage. REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), constipation, presence of hyposmia-anosmia, history of appendectomy and excessive daytime sleepiness, depression, orthostatic hypotension, apathy, forgetfulness, hallucinations, sleep problem, pain, fatigue, dizziness, and frequent urination findings have been noted from patients files. Results: There was no significant difference (p >0,05) between the rates of appendectomy, prodromal stage symptoms, and NMS between genders (Table 2). Only forgetfulness, dreaming and fatigue were found to be statistically significantly (p