[Clinical correlation of vascular parkinsonism]

Vascular parkinsonism has not been well defined and the clinical correlation of vascular parkinsonism is still not clear. The aim of the study was to estimate prevalence of occurrence of vascular parkinsonism, analysis of risk factors leading to its development and to identify clinical features that suggest a vascular origin. 214 patients with Parkinson's disease were examined. Their ages ranged from 37 to 88 years (median 66.4 years). Evidence of vascular parkinsonism was assessed using a vascular rating scale previously described by Winikates and Jankovic. Statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney U test, chi 2 Pearson test, chi 2 Yates test, Spearman rank correlation and Student's t test. Out of 214 patients 8 were proved to have developed Parkinson's disease due to vascular disease, what gave 3.74%. Out of risk factors for stroke 5 patients had hypertension, 3 had diabetes mellitus, 2 suffered from heart disease, 2 had infarctus myocardii, 1 had hyperlipidemia, 1 had atrial fibrillation. Additionally, those patients had neuroimaging (CT or MRI) evidence of vascular disease in one or more vascular territories. Patients with vascular parkinsonism were older, had shorter duration of disease, were more likely to present rigidity rather than tremor. Dementia and incontinence were more common in vascular group than in Parkinson's disease group. Patients with vascular parkinsonism were also significantly more likely to have corticospinal findings. Proving that Parkinson's disease had vascular etiology is extremely difficult. The test results are inconclusive.