Factors of importance for weight loss in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Weight loss is reported frequently in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this study was to find the underlying factors of this phenomenon.


METHODS
Twenty-six L-dopa-treated patients with PD and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were assessed twice within a 1-year interval. Body weight, body fat mass, resting energy expenditure, physical activity, energy intake, thyroid hormones and cognitive function were investigated.


RESULTS
Nineteen (73%) of the PD patients lost body weight, although energy intake and the time for rest increased. Weight loss was most marked in patients with more severe PD symptoms and in whom cognitive function had decreased. Multiple regression analyses showed that determinants for weight loss were female gender, age and low physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Weight loss was common in PD patients, in spite of the increased energy intake and was most obvious in patients with increased PD symptoms and decreased cognitive function.
Lorefält
B
B
Division of Geriatrics, Department of Neuroscience and Locomotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. birgitta.lorefalt@imv.liu.se
Ganowiak
W
W
Pålhagen
S
S
Toss
G
G
Unosson
M
M
Granérus
A-K
AK
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
D013963:Thyroid Hormones