TY - JOUR
T1 - Functional correlates of mild parkinsonian signs in the community-dwelling elderly
T2 - Poor balance and inability to ambulate independently
AU - Louis, Elan D.
AU - Schupf, Nicole
AU - Marder, Karen
AU - Tang, Ming X.
PY - 2006/3
Y1 - 2006/3
N2 - Mild tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia (mild parkinsonian signs, MPS) are commonly detected during the clinical examination of elderly people without known neurological disease. The functional correlates of these incidental findings are not well understood. Balance and ability to ambulate independently are important functions in the elderly. The objective of this study is to examine whether MPS were associated with impaired balance. Balance was assessed using a subjective measure (complaint of poor balance) and a functional measure (the need to use a walker, cane, or wheelchair). Our methods included the neurological evaluation of nondemented older people in Washington Heights-Inwood, NY. Of 2,251 participants, 527 (23.4%) complained of poor balance; 538 (23.9%) required a cane, walker, or wheelchair; and 363 (16.1%) had MPS. In adjusted logistic regression analyses, MPS were associated with a complaint of poor balance (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.0) and the need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4-2.6). The need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair was associated with changes in axial function (OR = 5.5, 95% CI = 2.6-11.6) as well as rigidity (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.07-2.2). Although they are incidental and subtle, signs of bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor are associated with impaired function. The elderly in whom these signs have been detected are 50% more likely to complain of poor balance and 90% more likely to require a cane, walker, or wheelchair than are their counterparts without these signs.
AB - Mild tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia (mild parkinsonian signs, MPS) are commonly detected during the clinical examination of elderly people without known neurological disease. The functional correlates of these incidental findings are not well understood. Balance and ability to ambulate independently are important functions in the elderly. The objective of this study is to examine whether MPS were associated with impaired balance. Balance was assessed using a subjective measure (complaint of poor balance) and a functional measure (the need to use a walker, cane, or wheelchair). Our methods included the neurological evaluation of nondemented older people in Washington Heights-Inwood, NY. Of 2,251 participants, 527 (23.4%) complained of poor balance; 538 (23.9%) required a cane, walker, or wheelchair; and 363 (16.1%) had MPS. In adjusted logistic regression analyses, MPS were associated with a complaint of poor balance (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.0) and the need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4-2.6). The need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair was associated with changes in axial function (OR = 5.5, 95% CI = 2.6-11.6) as well as rigidity (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.07-2.2). Although they are incidental and subtle, signs of bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor are associated with impaired function. The elderly in whom these signs have been detected are 50% more likely to complain of poor balance and 90% more likely to require a cane, walker, or wheelchair than are their counterparts without these signs.
KW - Community
KW - Elderly
KW - Falls
KW - Parkinsonism
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33645538994&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1002/mds.20735
DO - 10.1002/mds.20735
M3 - Article
C2 - 16211605
AN - SCOPUS:33645538994
SN - 0885-3185
VL - 21
SP - 411
EP - 416
JO - Movement Disorders
JF - Movement Disorders
IS - 3
ER -