Increased Prevalence of Polyneuropathy in Parkinson's Disease Patients: An Observational Study

J Parkinsons Dis. 2018;8(1):141-144. doi: 10.3233/JPD-161057.

Abstract

Background: The independent contribution of levodopa exposure and Parkinson's disease (PD) to the risk of polyneuropathy is not established.

Objective: This study investigated whether patients with newly diagnosed PD without previous exposure to antiparkinsonian drugs have higher prevalence of polyneuropathy than the general population.

Methods: Using the UK General Practice Research Database, presence of polyneuropathy in the previous 3 years was assessed.

Results: Of 5089 PD patients and 19,897 controls, polyneuropathy was confirmed in 15 PD patients (0.29% ) and 24 controls (0.12% ). Polyneuropathy prevalence was 2.4-fold higher in PD patients than controls.

Conclusions: In this observational study, PD patients had a higher prevalence of preexisting polyneuropathy that cannot be explained by adverse effects of antiparkinsonian drugs.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; Polyneuropathy; observational study.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / adverse effects*
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Polyneuropathies / chemically induced
  • Polyneuropathies / epidemiology
  • Polyneuropathies / etiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / chemically induced

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Levodopa