title: Parkinsonism in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The incidences of extrapyramidal symptoms and Parkinson's disease were reported to be increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we aimed to explore the frequency of the symptoms of Parkinsonism among RA patients older than 60 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 (6 males, 24 females) consecutive RA patients, followed at a rheumatology outpatient clinic, who were 60 years of age or older; 23 patients who were diagnosed as PD and 50 sex and age matched healthy controls were included to the study. All participants were examined for the motor and non-motor findings of Parkinsonism including bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, postural abnormality, upper limb sway abnormality, gait impairment, decrease in facial expression, seborrhea, slowing of speech and impairment in the self care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When the RA, PD cases and healthy control group were compared for bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, posture, upper limb sway, gait impairment, facial expression, seborrhea, speech and self care; highly significant differences were seen for all parameters. Two out of the 30 RA cases (6,7%) were diagnosed as Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The signs of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease were found more frequent in elderly RA cases as compared to healthy controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bes
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The Hospital of University of Abant Izzet Baysal, Bolu.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Altunrende
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The Hospital of University of Abant Izzet Baysal, Bolu.
authors.forename: Ş
authors.initials: Ş
authors.lastname: Yılmaz Türkoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The Hospital of University of Abant Izzet Baysal, Bolu.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yıldız
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hisar Intercontinental Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014202:Tremor / Q000453:epidemiology