Back problems in Parkinson's disease: an underestimated problem.
METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the extent of back pain in Parkinson's disease (PD).


BACKGROUND
PD is a common and disabling condition during the course of which back pain may develop. In contrast, the literature on the epidemiology of back pain in PD is poor.


METHODS
Patients with PD, seen consecutively in a neurology clinic over a period of 4 months, were inquired about back pain through a self-questionnaire and compared to an age- and sex-matched control group of chronically ill patients.


RESULTS
The study involved 104 parkinsonians (mean age: 67.3 years) who had had PD for an average of 11.6 years, and 100 controls (mean age: 65.8 years) who had chronic heart disease or diabetes for an average of 14.2 years. Sixty-two parkinsonians and 23 controls reported back pain. The prevalence was 59.6% in the parkinsonian group and 23.0% in the control group (P < 0.0001). Pain severity was evaluated with a visual analogic scale and averaged 54 +/- 23 mm in parkinsonians and 41 +/- 19 mm in control (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic back pain is quite common in PD. It is responsible for a substantial functional impact and needs more attention to reduce disability of such patients.
Etchepare
Fabien
F
Department of Rheumatology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France. f.etchepare@free.fr
Rozenberg
Sylvie
S
Mirault
Tristan
T
Bonnet
Anne-Marie
AM
Lecorre
Colette
C
Agid
Yves
Y
Bourgeois
Pierre
P
Fautrel
Bruno
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors