Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to review the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in
the prodromal phase of PD, before the PD diagnosis is made.
Methods
A retrospective review of 82 PD patients was performed. Hospital inpatient notes and
outpatient clinic admission notes were reviewed. The initial complaints prompting
patients to seek medical attention were noted, as were the initial diagnoses. The
symptoms were considered retrospectively to be associated with PD.
Results
Musculoskeletal pain was present as a prodromal PD symptom in 27 (33%) cases initially
diagnosed with osteoarthritis, degenerative spinal disease, and frozen shoulder. The
mean time from the initial symptom appearance to dopaminergic treatment was 6.6 years in the musculoskeletal pain group and 2.3 years in the group with typical PD signs. Significant improvement of musculoskeletal
pain after the initiation of dopaminergic treatment was present in 23 (85%) cases.
Conclusions
Of the PD patients who went on to develop motor features of PD, one third manifested
musculoskeletal pain as the initial symptom. A good response to L-DOPA therapy was
seen in 85% of cases presenting with musculoskeletal pain. Our findings suggest that
musculoskeletal pain may be a significant feature in earlier PD stages.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 04, 2012
Accepted:
May 1,
2012
Received in revised form:
April 19,
2012
Received:
January 22,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
