Postural Abnormality in Parkinson's Disease: A Large Comparative Study With General Population.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Geriatrics
• Biomechanical analysis

Background:

• Postural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease (PD) are not well-defined and differentiated from those in the elderly.
• Factors contributing to PD-related postural changes remain controversial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare spinal postural changes between PD patients and unimpaired elderly individuals.
• To identify factors associated with abnormal posture in PD patients.

Main Methods:

• Digital photographs were used to measure thoracolumbar spine angles (dropped head angle - DHA, anterior flexion angle - AFA, lateral flexion angle - LFA) in 1,117 PD patients and 2,732 general population participants (GPPs).
• Statistical analyses were employed to determine factors influencing these angles.

Main Results:

• In GPPs, age correlated with DHA, AFA, and LFA. PD patients showed significantly larger DHAs and AFAs compared to age-matched GPPs.
• Factors influencing DHA in PD patients included age, male sex, and Hoehn and Yahr (H & Y) stage. AFA was associated with age, disease duration, H & Y stage, pain, vertebral disease, and bending direction.
• Lateral flexion angle (LFA) was related to AFA in PD patients.

Conclusions:

• Age is a factor in spinal angles for both GPPs and PD patients, but PD patients exhibit more pronounced abnormalities.
• Disease severity and other factors contribute to significant postural deviations in PD patients, extending beyond normal age-related changes.