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Comorbidity and functional mobility in persons with Parkinson disease
Laurie A King1, Kelsey C Priest1, John Nutt1
1Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|August 8, 2014
Summary
Parkinson disease (PD) patients frequently have multiple comorbidities, impacting their mobility. Early screening for comorbidities is crucial to prevent gait and balance deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
- Comorbidities are common in older adults and can exacerbate PD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the frequency, severity, and types of comorbidities in individuals with mild to moderate PD.
- To investigate the association between comorbidities and functional mobility in PD patients.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional observational study involving 76 participants with mild to moderate idiopathic PD.
- Utilized the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric (CIRS-G) for comorbidity assessment.
- Assessed functional mobility through gait, balance, and physical performance tests.
Main Results:
- All participants reported an average of 6.96 comorbidities beyond PD.
- Eyes/ears, psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems were most affected.
- Higher CIRS-G scores significantly correlated with poorer gait (r=-.53), balance (r=-.43), and physical function (r=-.36).
Conclusions:
- Mild to moderate PD is characterized by a high burden of multiple comorbidities.
- Comorbidity severity is directly linked to reduced functional mobility, including gait and balance.
- Recommends early screening for comorbidities and associated mobility deficits in PD patients.
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