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Functional movement disorders are not uncommon in the elderly.
Amit Batla1, Maria Stamelou, Mark J Edwards
1Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society
|February 19, 2013
Summary
Functional movement disorders (FMDs) are not rare in the elderly, with one in five patients experiencing onset after age 60. Gait issues and psychogenic seizures may be more prevalent in older individuals with FMD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Functional movement disorders (FMDs) are perceived as rare in elderly populations.
- Limited data exists on the clinical presentation of FMD in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical features of FMD in elderly patients.
- To compare these characteristics with a younger cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 151 FMD patient records over 5 years.
- Inclusion of patients meeting diagnostic criteria for FMD.
- Comparison between patients with onset after 60 years (elderly) and younger patients.
Main Results:
- 21% of FMD patients had onset after age 60 (mean age 63.5 years).
- Tremor was common in both groups; fixed dystonia was absent in the elderly.
- Gait abnormalities were significantly more frequent in the elderly (69.7%) vs. younger (23.5%).
- Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures were more common in the elderly (18.2%) vs. younger (13%).
Conclusions:
- FMDs are not uncommon in the elderly, contrary to prior beliefs.
- Gait abnormalities and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures may be more characteristic of FMD in older adults.
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