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20th July 2023
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms usually noted initially are motor, although autonomic dysfunction, neuropsychiatric and sensory issues can present at any time in the disease (table 1). Symptoms known as prodromal features can be used to help diagnose PD; these include rapid eye movement, sleep disorders, hyposmia, typical motor symptoms and neuropsychiatric.
| Symptoms | Details |
|---|---|
| Motor | Tremor – asymmetrical, pill rolling, 4-6Hz, reduces with intention
Rigidity – equal in opposing muscle groups, hypertonia, lead pipe rigidity tends to be more marked on one side than the other, sensation of ‘cogwheeling’ due to superimposed tremor Akinesia – difficulty initiating movement, ‘masked facies’, reduced frequency of blinking Posture and gait – shuffling gait, poor balance, narrow based gait, poor arm swing |
| Neuropsychiatric | Cognitive decline, dementia
Depression, psychosis (either due to disease or medications) Daytime sleepiness |
| Autonomic Dysfunction | Constipation
Incontinence Postural hypotension Dysphagia |
| Other | Speech – monotone, slurring dysarthria, hypophonia
Hyposmia Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) |
Table 1: Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
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