Association of transient orthostatic hypotension with falls and syncope in patients with Parkinson disease

Cardiovascular Dysautonomia in Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Background/Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) and hypertension are often coexistent conditions that interact in entwined ways at various levels. Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (CAD), a non-motor feature of PD occurring across all stages, alters blood pressure (BP) regulation. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study enrolling patients with PD and primary hypertension, without diabetes mellitus or other causes of secondary CAD, aiming to characterize BP profiles/patterns by ambulatory BP monitoring. We also sought associations between different CAD phenotypes and PD characteristics, disability, and cardiovascular comorbidities. Results: We included 47 patients with a median age of 71 years, PD duration of 9 years, and Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III score of 40. Diurnal and nocturnal BP values were within the reference range, but BP load was excessive. Almost one-third had neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (OH) and 80% were non-dippers. The overall burden of non-motor symptoms was significant in these phenotypes. Patients with neurogenic OH were more prone to constipation, anxiety, and urinary problems, whereas gustatory dysfunction, loss of libido, and erectile dysfunction were more frequently reported by non-dippers. No significant differences with regard to cognitive decline were identified in subjects with and without neurogenic OH. Neurogenic OH was symptomatic in 78% of the cases, whereas 56% of those with orthostatic symptoms did not have OH at repeated measurements. Conclusions: Neurogenic OH is an independent predictor of disability in patients with PD and hypertension, after adjusting for PD duration, Hoehn and Yahr stage, levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score.

Unraveling the stride: exploring the influence of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension on gait and balance in Parkinson's disease

PURPOSE

Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) and gait impairment are frequent sources of disability in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the impact of nOH on balance and gait features remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the influence of nOH on postural and gait parameters in a cohort of patients with PD by means of wearable inertial sensors.

METHODS

Gait and balance were assessed using Opal inertial sensors. nOH was defined as sustained systolic blood pressure (BP) drop ≥ 20 mmHg or diastolic BP drop ≥ 10 mmHg within 3 min of standing, with a ΔHR/ΔSBP ratio ≤ 0.5 bpm/mmHg. Analysis of covariance was performed to evaluate differences in gait/balance features between patients with and without nOH, adjusting for age, cognitive status, and motor disability. Moreover, we performed the same analysis considering the presence of hemodynamically relevant nOH (orthostatic mean BP ≤ 75 mmHg).

RESULTS

A total of 82 patients were enrolled, 26 with nOH (31.7%), of which 13 presented with hemodynamically relevant nOH. After correcting for confounders, nOH was independently associated with lower gait speed (p = 0.027), shorter stride length (p = 0.033), longer time for postural transitions (p = 0.004), and increased postural sway (p = 0.019). These differences were even more pronounced in patients with hemodynamically relevant nOH. Higher postural sway was associated with a 7.9-fold higher odds of falls (p = 0.040).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study presents an objective demonstration of the independent negative impact of nOH on gait and balance in PD, emphasizing the need for careful detection and management of nOH to mitigate gait and balance disturbances in PD.

Vascular disease and risk of fall-related injuries in Parkinson's disease: A nationwide cohort study in Sweden

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are prone to fall and fall-related injuries (FI). Vascular disease is common in PD and is positively associated with falls in elderly. We aimed to evaluate the association of vascular disease with FI risk in PD.

METHODS

A nationwide cohort study of patients with primary PD diagnosis in Sweden was performed using Swedish national registers. Patients with and without vascular disease were followed from PD diagnosis until subsequent FI or 2013-12-31. The association of vascular disease with FI risk was estimated as hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) by Cox regression using attained age as underlying timescale.

RESULTS

We identified 2734 and 6979 incident FI from 8025 PD patients with and 20,543 without vascular disease, respectively. Overall, vascular disease associated positively with subsequent FI, which was mainly driven by the significant risk elevation within the first 6 months following vascular disease (HR < 0.5year [95 % CI] for PD diagnosed ≤75 years is 1.61 [1.39-1.87] and for PD diagnosed >75 years is 1.48 [1.32-1.65]). Thereafter, the association attenuated to null before it rebounded five years after exposure in PD diagnosed ≤75 years (HR > 5year = 1.26, 95 % CI: 1.10-1.45); whereas for PD diagnosed >75 years, it dropped remarkably and remained non-significant 6 months after exposure. When vascular disease was restricted to stroke, we saw a similar temporal pattern except that the short-term HRs among younger patients were stronger, lasted longer, and declined continuously without rebound.

CONCLUSIONS

Fall prevention is crucial to PD patients immediately after a vascular event.

Orthostatic Hypotension and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common condition in Parkinson's disease (PD) with a possible link to cognitive decline.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to explore the association between OH and PD-associated mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and dementia (PDD) over 9 years in a population-based incident PD cohort.

METHODS

We prospectively followed up patients from PD diagnosis with serial blood pressure measurements, clinical examinations, and neuropsychological assessments. We defined OH using (1) consensus-based criteria and (2) clinically significant OH by mean arterial pressure (MAP) in standing position ≤75 mmHg. PD-MCI and PDD were diagnosed according to acknowledged criteria. We applied generalized estimating equations models to investigate associations between OH measurements and cognitive impairment over time. Weibull accelerated failure time regression models were used to study if early OH (≤3 years of PD diagnosis) accelerates the time to incident PD-MCI and PDD.

RESULTS

Of 186 enrolled patients, consensus-based OH affected 68.8%, clinically significant OH 33.9%, PD-MCI 60.8%, and PDD 31.2%. Consensus-based OH was associated with PD-MCI (odds ratio [OR]: 2.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.44-2.90, P < 0.001), whereas clinically significant OH was associated with both PD-MCI (OR: 1.95, 1.11-3.43, P = 0.020) and PDD (OR: 3.66, 1.95-6.86, P < 0.001). Early clinically significant OH, but not early consensus-based OH, reduced time to incident PD-MCI by 54% (P = 0.021) and time to PDD by 44% (P = 0.003) independently of potential confounders, including supine hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSIONS

MAP in standing position emerged as a stronger predictor of cognitive decline than OH determined using consensus-based criteria. These findings have implications for both research and clinical practice.

Progress of non‐motor symptoms in early‐onset Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common degenerative disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by movement disorders and non‐motor symptoms (NMSs). The associated NMSs primarily include neuropsychiatric symptoms, autonomic dysfunction, sleep‐wake disorders, pain, fatigue, and hyposmia. These NMSs can occur at any stage of PD, especially before the onset of motor symptoms, and may affect a patient's quality of life more than motor symptoms. Although PD is most commonly diagnosed in people over 65 years, some patients exhibit symptom onset before the age of 50, which is clinically known as early‐onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD). The high heterogeneity and incidence of EOPD‐associated NMSs can lead to the misdiagnosis of EOPD as other neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the research progress related to NMSs in patients with EOPD, focusing on neuropsychiatric disorders, autonomic dysfunction, sleep disorders, and sensory impairment, and outline the association of NMSs with different genotypic alterations, with the aim of providing assistance in the clinical management of patients.

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in post-COVID-19 syndrome: a major health-care burden

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (CVAD) is a malfunction of the cardiovascular system caused by deranged autonomic control of circulatory homeostasis. CVAD is an important component of post-COVID-19 syndrome, also termed long COVID, and might affect one-third of highly symptomatic patients with COVID-19. The effects of CVAD can be seen at both the whole-body level, with impairment of heart rate and blood pressure control, and in specific body regions, typically manifesting as microvascular dysfunction. Many severely affected patients with long COVID meet the diagnostic criteria for two common presentations of CVAD: postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and inappropriate sinus tachycardia. CVAD can also manifest as disorders associated with hypotension, such as orthostatic or postprandial hypotension, and recurrent reflex syncope. Advances in research, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have identified new potential pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic methods and therapeutic targets in CVAD. For clinicians who daily see patients with CVAD, knowledge of its symptomatology, detection and appropriate management is more important than ever. In this Review, we define CVAD and its major forms that are encountered in post-COVID-19 syndrome, describe possible CVAD aetiologies, and discuss how CVAD, as a component of post-COVID-19 syndrome, can be diagnosed and managed. Moreover, we outline directions for future research to discover more efficient ways to cope with this prevalent and long-lasting condition.

Sympathetic dysfunction as an early indicator of autonomic involvement in Parkinson's disease

PURPOSE

The specific characteristics of autonomic involvement in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD) are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of autonomic dysfunction in drug-naïve patients with early-stage PD without orthostatic hypotension (OH) by analyzing Valsalva maneuver (VM) parameters.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed drug-naïve patients without orthostatic hypotension (n = 61) and controls (n = 20). The patients were subcategorized into early PD (n = 35) and mid-PD (n = 26) groups on the basis of the Hoehn and Yahr staging. VM parameters, including changes in systolic blood pressure at late phase 2 (∆SBPVM2), ∆HRVM3, Valsalva ratio (VR), pressure recovery time, adrenergic baroreflex sensitivity, and vagal baroreflex sensitivity, were assessed.

RESULTS

In the early PD group, ∆SBPVM2, a marker of sympathetic function, was significantly lower compared with that in controls (risk ratio = 0.95, P = 0.027). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed an optimal cut-off value of -10 mmHg for ∆SBPVM2 [P = 0.002, area under the curve (AUC): 0.737]. VR exhibited an inverse relationship with Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part 3 scores in the multivariable regression analysis (VR: P = 0.038, β = -28.61), whereas age showed a positive relationship (age: P = 0.027, β = 0.35).

CONCLUSION

The ∆BPVM2 parameter of the VM may help detect autonomic nervous system involvement in early-PD without OH. Our results suggest that sympathetic dysfunction is an early manifestation of autonomic dysfunction in patients with PD.

Machine-learning model for the prediction of acute orthostatic hypotension after levodopa administration

BACKGROUND

Levodopa could induce orthostatic hypotension (OH) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Accurate prediction of acute OH post levodopa (AOHPL) is important for rational drug use in PD patients. Here, we develop and validate a prediction model of AOHPL to facilitate physicians in identifying patients at higher probability of developing AOHPL.

METHODS

The study involved 497 PD inpatients who underwent a levodopa challenge test (LCT) and the supine-to-standing test (STS) four times during LCT. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether OH occurred during levodopa effectiveness (AOHPL) or not (non-AOHPL). The dataset was randomly split into training (80%) and independent test data (20%). Several models were trained and compared for discrimination between AOHPL and non-AOHPL. Final model was evaluated on independent test data. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) values were employed to reveal how variables explain specific predictions for given observations in the independent test data.

RESULTS

We included 180 PD patients without AOHPL and 194 PD patients with AOHPL to develop and validate predictive models. Random Forest was selected as our final model as its leave-one-out cross validation performance [AUC_ROC 0.776, accuracy 73.6%, sensitivity 71.6%, specificity 75.7%] outperformed other models. The most crucial features in this predictive model were the maximal SBP drop and DBP drop of STS before medication (ΔSBP/ΔDBP). We achieved a prediction accuracy of 72% on independent test data. ΔSBP, ΔDBP, and standing mean artery pressure were the top three variables that contributed most to the predictions across all individual observations in the independent test data.

CONCLUSIONS

The validated classifier could serve as a valuable tool for clinicians, offering the probability of a patient developing AOHPL at an early stage. This supports clinical decision-making, potentially enhancing the quality of life for PD patients.

Chronotropic Incompetence During Exercise Testing as a Marker of Autonomic Dysfunction in Individuals with Early Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

An attenuated heart rate response to exercise, termed chronotropic incompetence, has been reported in Parkinson's disease (PD). Chronotropic incompetence may be a marker of autonomic dysfunction and a cause of exercise intolerance in early stages of PD.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between chronotropic incompetence, orthostatic blood pressure change (supine - standing), and exercise performance (maximal oxygen consumption, VO2peak) in individuals with early PD within 5 years of diagnosis not on dopaminergic medications.

METHODS

We performed secondary analyses of heart rate and blood pressure data from the Study in Parkinson's Disease of Exercise (SPARX).

RESULTS

128 individuals were enrolled into SPARX (63.7±9.3 years; 57.0% male, 0.4 years since diagnosis [median]). 103 individuals were not taking chronotropic medications, of which 90 had a normal maximal heart rate response to exercise testing (155.3±14.0 bpm; PDnon-chrono) and 13 showed evidence of chronotropic incompetence (121.3±11.3 bpm; PDchrono, p < 0.05). PDchrono had decreased VO2peak compared to PDnon-chrono (19.7±4.5 mL/kg/min and 24.3±5.8 mL/kg/min, respectively, p = 0.027). There was a positive correlation between peak heart rate during exercise and the change in systolic blood pressure from supine to standing (r = 0.365, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A subgroup of individuals with early PD not on dopaminergic medication had chronotropic incompetence and decreased VO2peak, which may be related to autonomic dysfunction. Evaluation of both heart rate responses to incremental exercise and orthostatic vital signs may serve as biomarkers of early autonomic impairment and guide treatment. Further studies should investigate whether cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction affects the ability to exercise and whether exercise training improves autonomic dysfunction.

Advice to People with Parkinson's in My Clinic: Orthostatic Hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is the most common manifestation of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. In this viewpoint, we discuss five practical questions regarding OH in Parkinson's disease: 1) How common is the problem? 2) Why should people with Parkinson's disease and providers care about OH? 3) What are the symptoms of OH? 4) How to confirm a diagnosis of OH? And 5) How to treat OH? OH is an important non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease for which we have available treatments to significantly mitigate morbidity and possibly positively impact the disease course.

Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Autonomic Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease and Other Synucleinopathies

Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction are prevalent and can be very debilitating, reducing the quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies such as dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy. Non-pharmacological therapies are key to effective management and are frequently used alone in patients with mild autonomic symptoms, or in combination with pharmacological therapies in patients with moderate and severe symptoms. This article focuses on non-pharmacological approaches. Our objective was to review the non-drug and non-surgical approaches to treating autonomic symptoms in patients with PD and other synucleinopathies, focusing on cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary autonomic dysfunction. Evidence supporting the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatment for the management of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, supine hypertension, constipation, and bladder and sexual dysfunction is available. High-quality prospective trials are scarce, yet some non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., physical counter maneuvers) can be evaluated relatively quickly on an individual basis and often seem effective. The emerging variety of clinical presentations advocates for a stepwise, individualized, and non-pharmacological approach for the management of autonomic symptoms. Often, the first step is to reduce or discontinue drugs that cause or aggravate autonomic symptoms followed by lifestyle measures. While non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatments are available and, in many cases, effective to improve symptoms of autonomic dysfunction in PD and other synucleinopathies, they are often overlooked. Large randomized trials testing and comparing non-pharmacological approaches are warranted.

Acute effect of levodopa on orthostatic hypotension and its association with motor responsiveness in Parkinson's disease: Results of acute levodopa challenge test

OBJECTIVE

Levodopa administration can induce or worsen orthostatic hypotension (OH) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Understanding of acute OH post levodopa (AOHPL) is important for rational drug use in PD patients. Primary objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of AOHPL in PD patients. The secondary objectives were a) hemodynamic character of AOHPL; b) risk factors of AOHPL; c) relationship between motor responsiveness and blood pressure (BP) change.

METHODS

490 PD inpatients underwent acute levodopa challenge test (LCT). Supine-to-standing test (STS) was done 4 times during LCT, including before levodopa and every hour post levodopa intake within 3 h. Patients were classified into two groups, AOHPL and non-AOHPL. A comprehensive set of clinical features scales was assessed, including both motor (e.g., motor response, wearing-off) and nonmotor symptoms (e.g., autonomic dysfunction, neuropsychology).

RESULTS

33.1% PD patients had OH before drug, 50.8% the same subjects had AOHPL during levodopa effectiveness. PD patients who had better response to levodopa likely to have lower standing mean artery pressure (MAP) and severer systolic BP drop after levodopa intake. BP increased when the motor performance worsened and vice versa. Beneficial response was a risk factors of AOHPL (OR = 1.624, P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

AOHPL was very common in PD patients. We suggested that PD patients with risk factors should monitor hemodynamic change during LCT to avoid AOHPL following the introduction or increase of oral levodopa. The fluctuations of BP were complicated and multifactorial, likely caused by the process of PD and levodopa both.

Levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel via percutaneous endoscopic transgastric jejunostomy in advanced Parkinson's disease: hitting two birds with one stone?

Here we focus on people with advanced PD undergoing percutaneous endoscopic transgastric jejunostomy (PEG-J) ("one stone") for LCIG infusion therapy for managing severe motor fluctuations ("first bird") and discuss its implications for improving accompanying symptoms of cardiovascular, urinary, and gastrointestinal autonomic failure ("second bird").

The differences of orthostatic hypotension in patients with Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy

Background

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson's disease (PD) have similar clinical presentations in their early stages. Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common autonomic dysfunction associated with MSA and PD. Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) changes are measured in response to the active standing test, which is widely used to screen for cardiovascular autonomic function.

Objectives and methods

Overall, 255 patients (67 MSA, 188 PD) underwent continuous beat-to-beat non-invasive BP monitoring and active standing test. The total standing time was 10 min, and the BP differences between both groups were compared to determine whether the ΔHR/ΔSBP can differentiate both conditions.

Results

Classical orthostatic hypotension (COH) (52%) and initial OH (19%) were most common in MSA and PD, respectively. MSA had a higher HR (75.0 ± 9.7 vs. 71.0 ± 10.7, P = 0.008) than PD in the supine position. SBP (135.70 ± 15.68 mmHg vs. 127.31 ± 15.14 mmHg, P = 0.106), diastolic BP (78.45 ± 12.36 mmHg vs. 67.15 ± 13.39 mmHg, P = 0.009) and HR (73.94 ± 8.39 bpm vs. 71.08 ± 13.52 bpm, P = 0.389) at baseline were higher in MSA-COH than in PD-COH. After adjusting for age and disease duration, the ΔHR/ΔSBP-10 min significantly discriminated MSA-COH from PD-COH (P = 0.031). An ΔHR/ΔSBP-10 min of 0.517 showed a sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 84% (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63-0.91).

Conclusion

The SBP, diastolic BP, and HR were higher in the supine position; however, ΔHR and ΔSBP were lower after standing in MSA patients than in PD patients. The ΔHR/ΔSBP-10 min discriminated between MSA-COH and PD-COH with quiet acceptable accuracy.

Synucleinopathies

The α-synucleinopathies include pure autonomic failure, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson disease. The past two decades have witnessed significant advances in the diagnostic strategies and symptomatic treatment of motor and nonmotor symptoms of the synucleinopathies. This chapter provides an in-depth review of the pathophysiology, pathology, genetic, epidemiology, and clinical and laboratory autonomic features that distinguish the different synucleinopathies with an emphasis on autonomic failure as a common feature. The treatment of the different synucleinopathies is discussed along with the proposal for multidisciplinary, individualized care models that optimally address the various symptoms. There is an urgent need for clinical scientific studies addressing patients at risk of developing synucleinopathies and the investigation of disease mechanisms, biomarkers, potential disease-modifying therapies, and further advancement of symptomatic treatments for motor and nonmotor symptoms.

Abnormal circadian blood pressure regulation and cognitive impairment in α-synucleinopathies

Circadian blood pressure (BP) rhythm is important for the maintenance of healthy daily life, and its disruption is associated with poor outcomes. Cardiovascular autonomic failure is often observed in older populations but has a greater impact on neurodegenerative disorders such as α-synucleinopathies. These BP abnormalities include orthostatic hypotension (OH), supine hypertension (SH), and a loss of nocturnal BP fall. OH not only causes falls or syncope but is also related to cognitive impairment in α-synucleinopathies. For example, OH doubles or triples the risk for the development of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD). The diffuse central and peripheral neuropathology of α-synuclein may contribute to both OH and cognitive impairment. Moreover, repeated cerebral hypoperfusion in OH is thought to be related to cerebrovascular and neuronal damage, which may cause cognitive impairment. SH, which often coexists with OH, is also associated with cognitive impairment through cerebrovascular damage, such as white matter lesions and cerebral microbleeds. The reverse-dipping (riser) pattern on ambulatory BP monitoring is commonly observed in PD (∼56%), regardless of disease duration and severity. It is also related to cognitive impairment and more pronounced when coexisting with OH. These abnormal circadian BP profiles may be synergistically associated with cognitive impairment and poor outcomes in α-synucleinopathies. Although evidence for aggressive control of BP dysregulation improving cognitive impairment and outcomes is limited, regular BP monitoring appears to be important for total management of α-synucleinopathies.

Falls at the Geriatric Hospital Ward in the Context of Risk Factors of Falling Detected in a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

It is only by knowing the most common causes of falls in the hospital that appropriate and targeted fall prevention measures can be implemented. This study aimed to assess the frequency of falls in a hospital geriatrics ward and the circumstances in which they occurred and evaluate the parameters of the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) correlating with falls. We considered medical, functional, and nutritional factors associated with falls and built multivariable logistic regression analysis models. A total of 416 (median age 82 (IQR 77-86) years, 77.4% women) hospitalizations in the geriatrics ward were analyzed within 8 months. We compared the results of a CGA (including health, psycho-physical abilities, nutritional status, risk of falls, frailty syndrome, etc.) in patients who fell and did not fall. Fourteen falls (3.3% of patients) were registered; the rate was 4.4 falls per 1000 patient days. They most often occurred in the patient's room while changing position. Falls happened more frequently among people who were more disabled, had multimorbidity, were taking more medications (certain classes of drugs in particular), had Parkinson's disease and diabetes, reported falls in the last year, and were diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension. Logistic regression determined the significant independent association between in-hospital falls and a history of falls in the previous 12 months, orthostatic hypotension, Parkinson's disease, and taking statins, benzodiazepines, and insulin. Analysis of the registered falls that occurred in the hospital ward allowed for an analysis of the circumstances in which they occurred and helped to identify people at high risk of falling in a hospital, which can guide appropriate intervention and act as an indicator of good hospital care.

Diagnosis and treatment of orthostatic hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension is an unusually large decrease in blood pressure on standing that increases the risk of adverse outcomes even when asymptomatic. Improvements in haemodynamic profiling with continuous blood pressure measurements have uncovered four major subtypes: initial orthostatic hypotension, delayed blood pressure recovery, classic orthostatic hypotension, and delayed orthostatic hypotension. Clinical presentations are varied and range from cognitive slowing with hypotensive unawareness or unexplained falls to classic presyncope and syncope. Establishing whether symptoms are due to orthostatic hypotension requires careful history taking, a thorough physical examination, and supine and upright blood pressure measurements. Management and prognosis vary according to the underlying cause, with the main distinction being whether orthostatic hypotension is neurogenic or non-neurogenic. Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension might be the earliest clinical manifestation of Parkinson's disease or related synucleinopathies, and often coincides with supine hypertension. The emerging variety of clinical presentations advocates a stepwise, individualised, and primarily non-pharmacological approach to the management of orthostatic hypotension. Such an approach could include the cessation of blood pressure lowering drugs, adoption of lifestyle measures (eg, counterpressure manoeuvres), and treatment with pharmacological agents in selected cases.

Effect of Acute Levodopa Up-Titration on Blood Pressure in Patients With Early Stage Parkinson's Disease: Results of a Levodopa Challenge Test

Objective: Levodopa up-titration is the primary therapeutic strategy as the Parkinson’s disease (PD) progresses. However, the effects of levodopa up-titration on blood pressure (BP) are inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the effect of acute levodopa up-titration simulated by levodopa challenge test (LCT) on BP in patients with early stage PD.

Methods: We monitored BP in 52 patients with early stage PD using a standardized standing test. BP was assessed in supine position after 10 min of rest and at 1 and 3 min after standing up. BP was measured in the “off-state” and the best “on-state” during LCT in the morning at hospital. In another day, “off-state” and the best “on-state” BP was measured before and after anti-PD drug uptake in the morning at home. Demographic and clinical features of the patients were evaluated and analyzed.

Results: In the LCT, the prevalence of OH in the “off-state” and the best “on-state” was 11.5 and 13.5%, respectively. Additionally, the OH in the best “on-state” was associated with OH in the “off-state” and monoamine oxidase B inhibitor use. Although 38 (73.1%) patients experienced levodopa-induced hypotension during the LCT, no risk factors were identified. While BP reductions were observed after taking anti-PD drugs at home, no further reduction was seen during acute levodopa up-titration simulated by the LCT.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that acute levodopa up-titration does not exacerbate BP reduction induced by anti-PD drugs at home. BP monitoring is critical for the management of patients with PD.

Assessment of Risk Factors for Falls among Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for falls in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Materials and Methods

The study comprised 53 participants (52.8% women and 47.2% men). The Hoehn and Yahr 5-point disability scale was used to assess the severity of Parkinson's disease. The Tinetti Balance and Gait Scale were used to evaluate the risk of falls. The Katz scale was used to test the independence of people with PD. The Falls Efficacy Scale-International Short Form (FES-I) was implemented to assess fear of falling.

Results

The majority of participants was at a high risk of falls, being at the same level for women and men. A significant relationship was noted between the risk of falls and subjective assessment of mobility (χ² = 31.86, p < 0.001), number of falls (χ² = 37.92, p < 0.001), independence of the subjects (χ² = 19.28, p < 0.001), type of injury suffered during the fall (χ² = 36.93, p < 0.001), external factors (χ² = 33.36, p < 0.001), and the level of fear of falling (χ² = 8.88, p < 0.001). A significant relationship also occurred between the number of falls and the fear of falling (χ² = 33.49, p < 0.001) and between the number of falls and disease severity (χ² = 45.34, p < 0.001). The applied physiotherapy did not reduce the risk of falls (χ² = 3.18, p = 0.17).

Conclusions

Individuals who rated their mobility as good or excellent were at a low risk of falls. People who fell more times were at a high risk of falling. People more independent were at a low risk of falls. Previous injuries were the most associated with being at risk of falling. Uneven surfaces and obstacles on one's path are the external factors most associated with the risk of falling. People with low levels of fall anxiety were at a low risk of falls. Most people with low fall anxiety have never fallen. Additionally, the majority of patients with stage 1 of the disease have not fallen at all. The reason for the ineffectiveness of physiotherapy may be due to the exercise programs used and the lack of systematic implementation of them. PD is different for each patient; thus, it is important to select individually customized physiotherapy depending on motor and nonmotor symptoms, as well as general health of a patient.

Risk of incident fractures in individuals hospitalised due to unexplained syncope and orthostatic hypotension

BACKGROUND

Impaired orthostatic blood pressure response and syncope confer a high risk of falls and trauma. The relationship between a history of unexplained syncope and orthostatic hypotension (OH) with subsequent fractures, however, has not been thoroughly examined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between previous hospital admissions due to unexplained syncope and OH and incident fractures in a middle-aged population.

METHODS

We analysed a large population-based prospective cohort of 30,399 middle-aged individuals (age, 57.5 ± 7.6; women, 60.2%). We included individuals hospitalised due to unexplained syncope or OH as the main diagnosis. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analysis was applied to assess the impact of unexplained syncope and OH hospitalisations on subsequent incident fractures.

RESULTS

During a follow-up period of 17.8 + 6.5 years, 8201 (27%) subjects suffered incident fractures. The mean time from baseline and first admission for syncope (n = 493) or OH (n = 406) was 12.6 ± 4.2 years, and the mean age of the first hospitalisation was 74.6 ± 7.4 years. Individuals with incident fractures were older, more likely to be women, and had lower BMI, higher prevalence of prevalent fractures, and family history of fractures. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression showed an increased risk of incident fractures following hospitalisations due to unexplained syncope (HR 1.20; 95% CI 1.02-1.40; p = 0.025) and OH (HR 1.42; 95% CI 1.21-1.66; p < 0.001) compared with unaffected individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals hospitalised due to unexplained syncope and orthostatic hypotension have an increased risk of subsequent fractures. Our findings suggest that such individuals should be clinically assessed for their syncope aetiology, with preventative measures aimed at fall and fracture risk assessment and management.

Acute Cardiovascular Responses to Self-selected Intensity Exercise in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease patients frequently present cardiovascular dysfunction. Exercise with a self-selected intensity has emerged as a new strategy for exercise prescription aiming to increase exercise adherence. Thus, the current study evaluated the acute cardiovascular responses after a session of aerobic exercise at a traditional intensity and at a self-selected intensity in Parkinson's disease patients. Twenty patients (≥ 50 years old, Hoehn & Yahr 1-3 stages) performed 3 experimental sessions in random order: Traditional session (cycle ergometer, 25 min, 50 rpm, 60-80% maximum heart rate); Self-selected intensity: (cycle ergometer, 25 min, 50 rpm with self-selected intensity); and Control session (resting for 25 min). Before and after 30 min of intervention, brachial and central blood pressure (auscultatory method and pulse wave analysis, respectively), cardiac autonomic modulation (heart rate variability), and arterial stiffness (pulse wave analysis) were evaluated. Brachial and central systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and the augmentation index increased after the control session, whereas no changes were observed after the exercise sessions (P<0.01). Pulse wave velocity and cardiac autonomic modulation parameters did not change after the three interventions. In conclusion, a single session of traditional intensity or self-selected intensity exercises similarly blunted the increase in brachial and central blood pressure and the augmentation index compared to a non-exercise control session in Parkinson's disease patients.

Emerging Pharmacotherapies for Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second commonest neurodegenerative disorder in the older adult and is characterized by progressive disabling motor symptoms of bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, postural instability and also non motor symptoms that affect quality of life. The pharmacotherapy of PD consists of oral, transdermal, and subcutaneous medications, as well as invasive advanced therapies at later stages of the disease. PD medications are often started as monotherapy but with the progression of the illness often there is a need to add more medications and frequently comprises of a challenging polypharmacotherapy. Adverse effects of pharmacotherapy often add to the problems of adequate treatment. Patients and physicians have to prioritize treatment goals on the most disabling symptoms and the safest and most effective treatments. Almost every year newer medications and modes of delivery continue to be researched and added to the therapeutic armamentarium. This review article outlines existing and emerging pharmacotherapies for motor symptoms in PD.

Non-motor complications in late stage Parkinson's disease: recognition, management and unmet needs

Introduction: The burden of non-motor symptoms (NMS) is a major determinant of health-related quality of life in Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly at its late stage.Areas covered: The late stage is usually defined as the period from unstable advanced to the palliative stage, characterized by a combination of emerging treatment-resistant axial motor symptoms (freezing of gait, postural instability, falls and dysphagia), as well as both non-dopaminergic and dopaminergic NMS: cognitive decline, neuropsychiatric symptoms, aspects of dysautonomia, pain and sleep disturbances (insomnia and excessive day-time sleepiness). Here, the authors summarize the current knowledge on NMS dominating the late stage of PD and propose a pragmatic and clinically focused approach for their recognition and treatment.Expert opinion: The NMS progression pattern is complex and remains under-researched. While dopamine-dependent NMS may improve with dopamine replacement therapy, non-dopamine dependent NMS worsen progressively and culminate at the late stages of PD. Furthermore, some PD specific features could interact negatively with other comorbidities, multiple medication use and frailty - the evaluation of these aspects is important in the creation of personalized management plans in the late stage of PD.