Non-Motor Features in Parkinson's Disease Patients Attending Neurology Clinic at a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Background: The clinical course of Parkinson's disease (PD) is not limited to motor symptoms (tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, gait problems and imbalance). A variety of non-motor symptoms (NMS) such as psychiatric, gastrointestinal, cognitive, sudomotor, autonomic, sleep and sensory disorders which occur commonly are usually underappreciated as features of PD. This is a short report which documents NMS in a group of PD patients in Port Harcourt.

Method: Thirty -six patients with Parkinson's disease attending the neurology clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital were studied. The characteristics of the PD subjects and some non-motor symptoms were documented from direct interview as part of a larger study investigating Health related quality of life in PD.

Results: Mean age was 64.3 ± 10.9 years (range 43- 86) and 27 were subjects were males and 9 were females. Persistent low mood was reported in30(83.3%), 27 (75%) had body pains and olfactory problems, 17 ( 47.2%) reported drooling of saliva and difficulty remembering events. 11 (30.6%) and 12 (33.3%) reported excessive daytime sleepiness and difficulty falling asleep respectively. Difficulty swallowing was reported in 7 (19.4%) and sweating
disturbance in 10 (27.8%) patients.

Conclusion: Non-motor symptoms occur in PD patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and awareness needs to be created among patients and health care providers on the presence and burden of NMS in PD patients in order to offer holistic care and improve quality of life in PD patients.

Keywords: Non-motor symptoms; Parkinson's disease; Nigeria