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Categorising Visual Hallucinations in Early Parkinson's Disease
Benjamin J Clegg1, Gordon W Duncan2,3, Tien K Khoo4,5
1Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, UK.
Journal of Parkinson'S Disease
|July 25, 2018
Summary
Visual hallucinations (VHs) are common in early Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting over a fifth of newly diagnosed patients. These hallucinations impact cognition and quality of life, underscoring the need for early screening.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Visual hallucinations (VHs) are prevalent in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting 27-50% of patients with established disease.
- Minor VHs may manifest earlier in the PD progression than previously understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To categorize VHs in newly diagnosed PD patients.
- To determine the association between VHs and other clinical features in early PD.
Main Methods:
- 154 newly diagnosed PD participants from the ICICLE-PD study were assessed.
- Evaluations included the MDS-UPDRS III (motor severity), MoCA (cognition), PDQ-39 (quality of life), and the North East Visual Hallucinations Inventory.
- Hierarchical and linear regression analyses were employed to model relationships.
Main Results:
- 22% of newly diagnosed PD patients reported recurrent VHs, with minor VHs being most common.
- VHs significantly predicted poorer quality of life (PDQ-39) and cognitive scores (MoCA).
- No significant association was found between VHs and motor severity.
Conclusions:
- Recurrent VHs are present in a significant portion of newly diagnosed PD patients.
- VHs are independent predictors of cognitive function and quality of life, not motor severity.
- Screening for VHs at the time of PD diagnosis is crucial.