Objective: Knowing the motor variables involved in the relationship of body composition and staging of disease.

Background: Functional limitation, defined as a restriction in the physical performance of tasks required for independent living, is a precursor of disability and a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods: Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) we determined the body composition in 58 PD patients (32 males, 26 females), aged between 55 and 85 years. PD severity was assesed with the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn&Yahr staging scale and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for balance and propensity to falls as well as height, weight and body mass index.

Results: The sample consisted of 55.17% men. The mean age was 67.9 (± 8.1 years); 27.1 ± 5.4kg/m² BMI (Body Mass Index); It was shown an impaired functional performance through the UPDRS III and there were the relative risk for falls among patients regarding their TUG test  results. The mean duration of PD was 7.9 +/- 6.8 years (time since diagnostic).

Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity was high in this parkinsonian population, which is a new discovery. Not surprisingly, participants with PD had increased their postural instability. Staging, age and gender were influential factors in the relationship found with the results of TUG test and body composition. These findings may have clinical relevance for the treatment of physical symptoms in PD.

References: Petroni ML, Albani G, Bicchiega V, et al. Body composition in advanced-stage Parkinson’s disease. Acta Diabetol 2003;40:S187-190.

Mechanisms of Body Weight Fluctuations in Parkinson’s Disease. Frontiers in Neurology. 2014; 5

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/motor-and-body-composition-variables-by-parkinsons-disease-staging/