title: Effect of camptocormia on lung volumes in Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Camptocormia is defined as an abnormal flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 45°, or more, that typically increases during walking or standing and completely disappears in the supine position. Camptocormia may occur in patients with Parkinson's disease; when it does, it is usually associated with greater disease severity. Respiratory complications, which may be secondary to abnormal chest function, are one of the most frequent causes of death in patients with Parkinson's disease. No data on lung volumes are available for Parkinson's disease patients with camptocormia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of camptocormia on lung function. Eleven patients with Parkinson's disease and camptocormia and ten age-matched healthy subjects underwent lung spirometry (in the standing position, inclining the trunk forward at approx. 45° and supine) measurement of arterial oxygen-hemoglobin saturation and heart rate. We found that Parkinson's disease with camptocormia is not associated with major clinical changes in lung volumes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. stemapa@libero.it
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marinelli
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colosimo
authors.forename: Alessandro Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ferrazza
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Stasio
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fabbrini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palange
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berardelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology*; D013147:Spirometry