Abstract
AIM: Evidence suggests that falls and associated bone fractures are more frequent in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD) than in the general population. In this cross-sectional study we evaluated the clinical and biochemical characteristics that are associated to falls, fractures and bone health in a population of PD subjects.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive subjects suffering from idiopathic PD (mild-to-moderate severity) with/without falls in the previous year were included. They were characterized as regards functional independence, balance, fear of falling, bone density (ultrasound densitometry) and plasma levels of vitamin D. Twenty-one age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were evaluated as controls.
RESULTS: We detected a greater degree of osteoporosis in PD subjects as compared to controls, more pronounced in males than in females (Z-score: M -3.8 ± 1.6, F -2.28 ± 0.92, p = 0.0006). A positive correlation was found between independence levels and bone density or vitamin D levels. Twenty seven patients (64%) reported falls in the previous year. These were associated to post-traumatic fractures in 16 subjects (59% of fallers). Women fell more than men (fallers: 20 F/7 M; non fallers: 4 F/11 M, χ² test p = 0.02), although the occurrence of post-traumatic fractures among fallers did not differ between sexes (F 11/9, M 5/2, χ² test p > 0.05). Fallers with post-traumatic fractures showed higher degrees of motor impairment.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm that falls and osteoporosis represent major health issues in PD, already in the middle stages of disease.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 299-304 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | International Journal of Neuroscience |
Volume | 127 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2017 |
Keywords
- Accidental Falls
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Bone Density
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Densitometry
- Fear
- Female
- Fractures, Bone
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Parkinson Disease
- Postural Balance
- Sensation Disorders
- Severity of Illness Index
- Sex Factors
- Ultrasonography
- Vitamin D
- Journal Article