Olfactory deficits and sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease: a case-control survey.
BACKGROUND
Olfactory and sleep disturbances are common in Parkinson's disease, and may be early disease indicators.


OBJECTIVE
To obtain information about olfactory and sleep deficits preceding the onset of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
38 community dwelling patients with Parkinson's disease (73% response rate) and 32 age matched controls (60% response rate).


METHODS
Using a questionnaire survey, the frequencies, timing, and relations between olfactory and sleep disturbances, drug treatment, mood, and motor deficits in Parkinson's disease were compared with those in age matched controls. Reliability of information was validated by informant interview in 9% of the sample. Interdependency of factors was assessed using Fisher's fourfold table test, and differences between populations were analysed using chi(2) and unpaired t tests.


RESULTS
Microsmia was reported by 26 patients (68%) (and only one control), on average within a year of the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. More patients than controls had excessive daytime somnolence (45% v 6%), restless legs (50% v 19%), and abnormal movements during sleep (34% v 0%), which generally occurred three to five years after diagnosis and were independent of mood disorders and drug treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Many patients with Parkinson's disease have microsmia at the onset of motor deficits, but some sleep disorders are a subsequent occurrence.
Henderson
J M
JM
Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute and University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Department of Neurology, 1st People's Hospital, University of Shanghai, Shanghai, China.
Lu
Y
Y
Wang
S
S
Cartwright
H
H
Halliday
G M
GM
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*