Ventilatory Impairments Associated with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Impaired lung function in multiple sclerosis: a single-center observational study in 371 persons

INTRODUCTION

Abnormal lung function in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) could be considered as the result of muscle weakness or MS-specific structural central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities as a precipitant factor for the worsening of motor impairment or cognitive symptoms.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional observational study in PwMS. Forced spirometry was conducted, and normative metrics of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and the relation FEV1/FVC were calculated. Qualitative and quantitative brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were carried out.

RESULTS

A total of 371 PwMS were included in the study. Of those, 196 (53%) had RRMS, 92 (25%) SPMS, and 83 (22%) PPMS. Low FVC and FEV1 was present in 16 (8%), 16 (19%), and 23 (25%) of the patients in the RRMS, PPMS, and SPMS, respectively. PwMS with T2-FLAIR lesions involving the corpus callosum (CC) had a significantly higher frequency of abnormally low FVC and FEV1 (OR 3.62; 95% CI 1.33-9.83; p = 0.012) than patients without lesions in that region. This association remained significant in the RRMS group (OR 10.1; 95% CI 1.3-67.8; p 0.031) when the model excluded PPMS and SPMS. According to our study, for every increase of 1 z score of FVC, we observed an increase of 0.25 cm3 of hippocampal volume (β 0.25; 95% CI 0.03-0.47; p 0.023) and 0.43 cm3 of left hippocampus volume (β 0.43; 95% CI 0.16-0.71; p 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed an incremental prevalence of abnormally low pulmonary function tests that parallels a sequence from more early relapsing courses to long-standing progressive courses (RRMS to PPMS or SPMS).

Voice Alterations, Dysarthria, and Respiratory Derangements in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

PURPOSE

Almost 90% of people with Parkinson's disease (PD) develop voice and speech disorders during the course of the disease. Ventilatory dysfunction is one of the main causes. We aimed to evaluate relationships between respiratory impairments and speech/voice changes in PD.

METHOD

At Day 15 from admission, in consecutive clinically stable PD patients in a neurorehabilitation unit, we collected clinical data as follows: comorbidities, PD severity, motor function and balance, respiratory function at rest (including muscle strength and cough ability), during exercise-induced desaturation and at night, voice function (Voice Handicap Index [VHI] and acoustic analysis [Praat]), speech disorders (Robertson Dysarthria Profile [RDP]), and postural abnormalities. Based on an arbitrary RDP cutoff, two groups with different dysarthria degree were identified-moderate-severe versus no-mild dysarthria-and compared.

RESULTS

Of 55 patients analyzed (median value Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part II 9 and Part III 17), we found significant impairments in inspiratory and expiratory muscle pressure (> 90%, both), exercise tolerance at 6-min walking distance (96%), nocturnal (12.7%) and exercise-induced (21.8%) desaturation, VHI (34%), and Praat Shimmer% (89%). Patients with moderate-severe dysarthria (16% of total sample) had more comorbidities/disabilities and worse respiratory pattern and postural abnormalities (camptocormia) than those with no-mild dysarthria. Moreover, the risk of presenting nocturnal desaturation, reduced peak expiratory flow, and cough ability was about 11, 13, and 8 times higher in the moderate-severe group.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysarthria and respiratory dysfunction are closely associated in PD patients, particularly nocturnal desaturation and reduced cough ability. In addition, postural condition could be at the base of both respiratory and voice impairments.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21210944.

Exercise Intolerance and Oxygen Desaturation in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: Triggers for Respiratory Rehabilitation?

The role that oxygen desaturation plays in exercise tolerance and its rehabilitative implications in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are unclear. We aimed to test exercise tolerance and oxygen saturation levels both during exercise and at night in PD patients to better define their rehabilitative needs. In clinically stable PD patients, undergoing inpatient rehabilitation, and in "ON" phase, we prospectively assessed clinical data, sleepiness, comorbidities, PD severity (Hoehn&Yahr, HY), motor function (ADLs, UPDRSII and UPDRSIII, Barthel Index, Functional Independence Measure), balance, spirometry, respiratory muscles (MIP/MEP), peak cough expiratory flow (PCEF), continuous night oxygen monitoring, and meters at 6MWT. Of 55 patients analyzed (28 with moderate-severe PD, HY ≥ 2.5), 37% and 23% showed moderate-severe impairment on UPDRSII and UPDRSIII, respectively; 96% had reduced exercise tolerance and severe respiratory muscles impairment (MIP/MEP < 45% pred.); 21.8% showed desaturations during exercise; and 12.7% showed nocturnal desaturations. At multiple regression, low exercise tolerance and low mean nocturnal and exercise-induced saturation correlated with several respiratory and motor function and disability indices (all p < 0.03). Exercise tolerance, exercise-induced desaturations, and nocturnal desaturations were extremely frequent in PD patients and were worse in more severe PD patients. This suggests considering a combined role for motor and respiratory rehabilitation in these patients.