Parkinson's Disease and Gastrointestinal Non Motor Symptoms: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options - A Practise Guide

Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances in Parkinson's disease (PD) are varied, involve the upper and lower GI tract and are evident in all stages of the disease. Recognition and re-evaluation of these non motor symptoms (NMS) due to the course of PD is important. They have a major impact on the efficacy of oral anti-parkinsonian medication and health related quality of life. Treatment needs to be tailored to the specific patient case with evaluation of PD stage, the specific GI NMS and comorbidities. This article provides an overview of the pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic options for GI NMS in PD.