Sensory Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease.
- Author:
Sang Woo KIM
1
;
Jae Kwan CHA
;
Sang Ho KIM
;
Jae Woo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Dong>A University College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Parkinson's disease;
sensory symptoms;
dopaminergic pathways
- MeSH:
Arm;
Arthritis;
Burns;
Humans;
Hypesthesia;
Leg;
Levodopa;
Male;
Muscle Cramp;
Musculoskeletal Diseases;
Neuroimaging;
Parkinson Disease*;
Sensation
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
1998;16(3):315-320
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A variety of sensory disturbances such as tingling, numbness, muscle cramp, pain and burning are recognized in Parkinson's disease. There is a hypothesis that sensory symptoms of Parkinson's disease could be related to "release" of sensory centers from extrapyramidal systems. We investigated the characteristic features of sensory symptoms in Parkinsonian patients and the possibilities that sensory symptoms may be related to dopaminergic pathways. METHODS: We included 130 patients with Parkinson's disease. The patients with medical illness such as diabetes, arthritis or musculoskeletal disease were excluded. We studied 38 Parkinsonian patients with sensory complaints using electrophysiologic studies and neuroimaging. RESULTS: 1) Thirty-eight(29.2%) of 130 Parkinsonian patients(mean age ; 57.9 +/- 10.1 ; 13 men, 25 women) had sensory symptoms. 2) Among thirty-eight Parkinsonian patients with sensory symptoms, 19 patients had pain, 10 tingling sensation, 3 burning sense, and 2 muscle cramp. 3) The arm and leg were most common sites for sensory symptoms 4) Sensory complaints preceded motor symptoms in 17 patients(21.1 +/- 19.1 months) and followed in 13 patients(26.7 +/- 41.9 months). 5) In 25 patients(66%), sensory symptoms were improved with levodopa. 6) There was no significant correlation between sensory symptoms and motor disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Many Parkinsonian patients had various sensory complaints as well as motor symptoms. In some patients, sensory symptoms preceded motor disabilities. It was also suggested that sensory symptoms in some patients with Parkinson's disease be related to dopaminergic pathways.
