Parkinson’s Disease May Present in Unusual Ways
November 21st, 2007 | by Lyle J. Dennis, M.D. |
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder in which patients experience progressive loss of motor function, tremor, stiffness, and gait. Neurologists usually diagnose the condition based on examination findings,and patients usually seek medical assistance when they notice the tremor or motor difficulties.
In a recent study, researchers demonstrated that out of 433 consecutive patients with autopsy-proven, 21% presented with non-motor symptoms. The most common ones were pain (15%), urinary dysfunction (3.9%), anxiety, or depression (2.5%).
When patients presented in these unusual manners, their diagnosis was often delayed.
Reference: (Mov Disord. 2007 Nov 9)