Non-motor symptoms in early Parkinson's disease: a 2-year follow-up study on previously untreated patients

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012 Sep 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Erro R, Picillo M, Vitale C, Amboni M, Moccia M, Longo K, Cozzolino A, Giordano F, De Rosa A, De Michele G, Pellecchia MT, Barone P.

Source

Department of Neurological Science, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Non-motor symptoms are very common among patients with Parkinson's disease since the earliest stage, but little is known about their progression and their relationship with dopaminergic replacement therapy.

METHODS:

We studied non-motor symptoms before and after 2 years from dopaminergic therapy introduction in ninety-one newly diagnosed previously untreated PD patients.

RESULTS:

At baseline, nearly all patients (97.8%) referred at least one non-motor symptom. At follow-up, only few non-motor symptoms significantly changed. Particularly, depression and concentration became less frequent, while weight change significantly increased after introduction of dopamine agonists.

CONCLUSIONS:

We reported for the first time a 2-year prospective study on non-motor symptoms before and after starting therapy in newly diagnosed PD patients. Even if non-motor symptoms are very frequent in early stage, they tend to remain stable during the early phase of disease, being only few non-motor symptoms affected from dopaminergic therapy and, specifically, by the use of dopamine agonists.