Objective: The aim of this study was to examine balance, subjective experienced unsteadiness and self-reported falls among patients with idiopathic Parkinson´s Disease, at the very first visit at the neurological clinic and over time during the first three years.

Background: Impaired balance is one of the main features in Parkinson´s Disease (PD), which can result in falls with consequences that can be crucial for people with PD (1,2). It is important to detect an impaired balance early in the disease in order to prevent falls.

Methods: The subjects were collected from a prospective longitudinal study, the so called NYPUM-study. 150 patients with PD and 31 healthy controls were included. The measurements that have been used are the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and a postural stability-test together with a questionnaire about falls and experienced unsteadiness.

Results: There was statistically significant balance impairment (for the BBS, TUG and the Postural stability test) already at the first visit at neurological clinic. The patients had to greater extent experienced unsteadiness and had a higher incidence of falls during the last year, compared to controls. After one year there was an improvement in the TUG (with medication). Between one and three year there was a worsening in postural responses seen in the postural stability-test. The balance in all three measurements did however not show a significant difference after three years compared to the baseline result.

Conclusions: There was statistically significant balance impairment already at the first visit at neurological clinic. The measured balance impairment might be considered as relatively small, but the experienced unsteadiness was apparent. It is therefore of great importance to pay attention to balance early in the disease and to ask the patients about their own experience of unsteadiness, to prevent future falls. References: 1. Kim SD, Allen NE, Canning CG, Fung VS. Postural instability in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Epidemiology, pathophysiology and management. CNS Drugs. 2013;27(2):97-112. 2. Bloem BR. Postural instability in Parkinson’s disease. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 1992;94 Suppl:S41-5.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/balance-in-patients-with-newly-diagnosed-parkinsons-disease-a-three-year-follow-up-of-a-cohort-in-northern-sweden/