Lower prevalence of sleep disturbances in familial versus sporadic Parkinson's disease: A questionnaire based study

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with De Novo Parkinson's Disease and a Positive Family History

Background/Objectives: A family history of Parkinson's disease (PD) is an important risk factor for developing PD. Because only a few studies have investigated the clinical characteristics of PD patients based on family history, this study compared the clinical characteristics of PD patients with and without a family history of PD. Methods: The study involved 356 patients with de novo PD. The data on the patients' PD family histories were obtained from the patients and their caregivers. Motor and non-motor PD symptoms were assessed using the appropriate scales. Results: Out of the 356 PD patients, 26 (7.3%) had a family history of PD. Compared with patients without a family history of PD, those with a family history of PD tended to be younger at diagnosis (67.9 years vs. 62.2 years, respectively; p = 0.009) and exhibited significantly more severe rigidity (p = 0.036). Motor subtype was not different between the PD patients with and without a family history. PD patients with a family history experienced significantly fewer falls/cardiovascular symptoms within the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale domains (p = 0.001) compared to their counterparts, although this was not statistically significant upon adjusting for age (p = 0.119). Conclusions: In de novo PD patients, having a family history of PD is associated with a younger age at diagnosis and more severe rigidity.

Sleep Disorders in Patients with Parkinson's Disease during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case-Control Study

Objective:

To assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on sleep disorders among Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using validated questionnaires.

Materials and Methods:

This prospective study involved 50 PD patients and 50 age, gender, and body mass index-matched controls. All participants underwent assessment of cognition using Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale, sleep quality using Parkinson's disease sleep scale-2 (PDSS-2; for PD patients) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; for PD patients and healthy controls), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) using Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), insomnia symptoms and severity using insomnia severity index (ISI), restless legs syndrome (RLS) using International RLS Study Group criteria, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) using RBD Single-Question Screen (RBD1Q), and depression using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale.

Results:

Eighty-eight percent of PD patients reported one or more sleep disorders, compared to 28% controls. While 72% of PD patients reported poor sleep quality (PDSS-2 ≥15, PSQI >5), 60% had insomnia, 58% reported RBD, 50% had EDS, and 36% reported RLS. Depressive symptoms were reported by 70% patients. PD patients with and without poor sleep quality were comparable with regards to demographic and clinical variables, except for depressive symptoms (P < 0.001). Depressive symptoms showed a significant association with EDS (P = 0.008), RBD (P < 0.001), and insomnia (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

Prevalence of sleep disorders increased in PD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prevalence of EDS, RBD, and RLS in PD patients was higher compared to that reported in studies during the pre-COVID-19 times. Presence of depressive symptoms was a significant correlate of presence of sleep disorders in PD patients.

"Mind" in Betel-quid Use and Related Disorders

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by a unique predisposing state called oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Wide variety of carcinogenic insult in the form of detrimental habits can contribute to the causation of variety of OPMDs.1,2.

Vision Restoration in Glaucoma by Activating Residual Vision with a Holistic, Clinical Approach: A Review

How to cite this article: Sabel BA, Cárdenas-Morales L, Gao Y. Vision Restoration in Glaucoma by activating Residual Vision with a Holistic, Clinical Approach: A Review. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2018;12(1):1-9.

A systematic review of the literature on disorders of sleep and wakefulness in Parkinson's disease from 2005 to 2015

Sleep disorders are among the most common non-motor manifestations in Parkinson's disease (PD) and have a significant negative impact on quality of life. While sleep disorders in PD share most characteristics with those that occur in the general population, there are several considerations specific to this patient population regarding diagnosis, management, and implications. The available research on these disorders is expanding rapidly, but many questions remain unanswered. We thus conducted a systematic review of the literature published from 2005 to 2015 on the following disorders of sleep and wakefulness in PD: REM sleep behavior disorder, insomnia, nocturia, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements, sleep disordered breathing, excessive daytime sleepiness, and circadian rhythm disorders. We discuss the epidemiology, etiology, clinical implications, associated features, evaluation measures, and management of these disorders. The influence on sleep of medications used in the treatment of motor and non-motor symptoms of PD is detailed. Additionally, we suggest areas in need of further research.

Research in Parkinson's disease in India: A review

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting patients in large numbers throughout the world. In this article, we review all the published data on PD based on studies in Indian population. We have tried to consolidate the contribution of Indian studies in PD research. We found 95 articles, of which 92 were original research papers. This is a relatively less number, but in the last decade, there has been an increase in research on PD from this country. But most of them seem to be restricted to only a few research institutes. The nonmotor symptoms and genetics are the most commonly studied aspects. The systematic review of the articles reveals that the epidemiology in India may be different with relatively lesser incidence here. Most of the genetic mutations found to cause PD in other population are not found in India, revealing that other genetic factors may be involved. Further research needs to be encouraged to understand the disease in Indian patients better, as all the results cannot be extrapolated from the Western literature to this heterogeneous Indian population. There need to be more studies on therapeutic aspects of the disease.