Nutritional status in Parkinson's disease patients undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
People with Parkinson's disease (PD) are at higher risk of malnutrition due to PD symptoms and pharmacotherapy side effects. When pharmacotherapy is no longer effective for symptom control, deep-brain stimulation (DBS) surgery may be considered. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of people with PD who may be at higher risk of malnutrition related to unsatisfactory symptom management with optimised medical therapy.


METHODS
This was an observational study using a convenience sample.


METHODS
Participants were seen during their hospital admission for their deep brain stimulation surgery.


METHODS
People with PD scheduled for DBS surgery were recruited from a Brisbane neurological clinic (n=15).


METHODS
The Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), weight, height and body composition were assessed to determine nutritional status.


RESULTS
Six participants (40%) were classified as moderately malnourished (SGA-B). Eight participants (53%) reported previous unintentional weight loss (average loss of 13%). On average, participants classified as well-nourished (SGA-A) were younger, had shorter disease durations, lower PG-SGA scores, higher body mass (BMI) and fat free mass indices (FFMI) when compared to malnourished participants (SGA-B). Five participants had previously received dietetic advice but only one in relation to unintentional weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Malnutrition remains unrecognised and untreated in this group despite unintentional weight loss and presence of nutrition impact symptoms. Improving nutritional status prior to surgery may improve surgical outcomes.
Movement Neuroscience Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia. jamie.sheard@qut.edu.au
J M
JM
Sheard
S
S
Ash
P A
PA
Silburn
G K
GK
Kerr
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D001823:Body Composition; D001825:Body Fluid Compartments; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001921:Brain / Q000601:surgery; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D010343:Patient Admission; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D015431:Weight Loss