Olfactory function distinguishes vascular parkinsonism from Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To compare olfactory function in vascular parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease diagnosed according to published clinical diagnostic criteria.


METHODS
The University of Pennsylvania smell identification test (UPSIT) was carried out in 14 patients with vascular parkinsonism, 18 with Parkinson's disease, and 27 normal controls matched for age, sex, and smoking status.


RESULTS
UPSIT scores in vascular parkinsonism (mean 26.1, 95% confidence interval, 23.1 to 29.0) were significantly better than in Parkinson's disease (mean 17.1 (14.5 to 19.7)) (p<0.0001), and did not differ from the healthy controls (mean 27.6 (25.8 to 29.4)) (p = 0.32).


CONCLUSIONS
Testing olfactory function may be helpful in differentiating vascular parkinsonism from Parkinson's disease.
Katzenschlager
R
R
Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, London, UK.
Zijlmans
J
J
Evans
A
A
Watt
H
H
Lees
A J
AJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012903:Smell