Sensory Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 16(3); 1998 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1998;16(3): 315-320.

파킨슨병에서의 감각증상

김상우, 차재관, 김상호, 김재우

동아대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Sensory Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease

Sang-Woo Kim, M.D.,Jae-Kwan Cha, M.D., Sang-Ho Kim, M.D.,Jae-Woo Kim, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Dong-A University College of Medicine

Abstract

Background and Purpose : A variety of sensory disturbances such as tingling, numbness, muscle cramp, pain and burning are recognized in Parkinson's disease. There is a hypothesis that sensory symptoms of Parkinson's disease could be related to “release”of sensory centers from extrapyramidal systems. We investigated the characteristic features of sensory symptoms in Parkinsonian patients and the possibilities that sensory symptoms may be related to dopaminergic pathways. Methods : We included 130 patients with Parkinson's disease. The patients with medical illness such as diabetes, arthritis or musculoskeletal disease were excluded. We studied 38 Parkinsonian patients with sensory complaints using electrophysiologic studies and neuroimaging. Results : 1) Thirty-eight(29.2%) of 130 Parkinsonian patients(mean age ; 57.9 ± 10.1 ; 13 men, 25 women) had sensory symptoms. 2) Among thirty-eight Parkinsonian patients with sensory symptoms, 19 patients had pain, 10 tingling sensation, 3 burning sense, and 2 muscle cramp. 3) The arm and leg were most common sites for sensory symptoms 4) Sensory complaints preceded motor symptoms in 17 patients(21.1 ± 19.1 months) and followed in 13 patients(26.7 ± 41.9 months). 5) In 25 patients(66%), sensory symptoms were improved with levodopa. 6) There was no significant correlation between sensory symptoms and motor disabilities. Conclusions : Many Parkinsonian patients had various sensory complaints as well as motor symptoms. In some patients, sensory symptoms preceded motor disabilities. It was also suggested that sensory symptoms in some patients with Parkinson's disease be related to dopaminergic pathways. Key Words : Parkinson's disease, sensory symptoms, dopaminergic pathways