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Dyskinesia in the elderly presenting as respiratory disorder
F N Godlee1, D J Brooks, M Impallomeni
1Department of Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Respiratory dyskinesia in the elderly can be misdiagnosed as anxiety or COPD. Discontinuing antidopaminergic drugs significantly improved symptoms, highlighting the importance of considering dyskinesia in elderly respiratory disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Dyskinesia, characterized by involuntary movements, can affect various muscle groups.
- Respiratory muscle dysfunction can lead to significant breathing difficulties, particularly in the elderly.
Observation:
- Two elderly female patients presented with respiratory muscle dyskinesia.
- Initial diagnoses were misattributed to anxiety syndrome and chronic obstructive airways disease.
- Antidopaminergic drug therapy exacerbated the dyskinetic movements.
Findings:
- Discontinuation of antidopaminergic medications led to marked improvement in dyskinetic movements.
- The study highlights the potential for misdiagnosis of respiratory dyskinesia in geriatric patients.
Implications:
- Dyskinesia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained respiratory disorders in the elderly.
- A history of movement disorders and use of antidopaminergic drugs are crucial factors in suspecting dyskinesia.