Steep breathing disorders in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Study objectives: to investigate the presence of steep breathing disorders in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and their correlation with the severity of the disease. Participants: Fifteen patients (mean age 63+/-4 years) with idiopathic PD (Group A) and 15 healthy matched controls (Group 13) were studied. All patients were under treatment with L-Dopa/Carbidopa and classified according to the UPDRS motor scale: 8 had mild disease (UPDRS < 12), 6 moderate (UPDRS: 12-22) and 1 severe (UPDRS > 22). Measurements and results: All participants underwent full night polysomnography (PSG). The steep-wake history was assessed. Spirometry, maximal respiratory pressures and arterial blood gases were also measured. Snoring was more common in Group A patients (73.3% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.002). Among the parameters studied apnea hypopnea index (AHI), mean 02 saturation, minimum 02 saturation, REM% steep and Arousal Index (Arousal Index) were statistically different between the two groups. Furthermore, 9 PD patients fulfilled the criteria for obstructive steep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) predominately mild, 1 for central steep apnea hypopnea syndrome (CSAHS) and 5 were normal. In all patients a marked reduction in percentage REM steep was observed. Among the patients with OSAHS 5 had mild PD, 3 moderate and 1 severe. The patient with CSAHS had moderate disease. Finally, 3 patients with mild and 2 with moderate PD had no evidence of steep breathing disorders. Correlations between severity of disease and steep parameters are provided. Conclusion: Our results suggest that steep breathing disorders, predominantly obstructive, seem to be common in PD and those events correlate with the severity of the disease. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.