Citation

Tassorelli C, Berlangieri M, Buscone S, Bolla M, De Icco R, Baricich A, Pacchetti C, Cisari C, Sandrini G. Int. J. Neurosci. 2016; 127(4): 299-304.

Affiliation

Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00207454.2016.1206897

PMID

27356592

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 D vitamin 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 males (fallers: 20F/7M; non fallers: 4F/11M, χ(2) test p = 0.02), although the occurrence of post-traumatic fractures among fallers did not differ between sexes (F 11/9, M 5/2, χ(2) 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.

Language: en