Falls, fractures and bone density in Parkinson's disease - a cross-sectional study

• Published in: International journal of neuroscience 2017-04, Vol.127 (4), p.299-304
• Main Authors: Tassorelli, Cristina, Berlangieri, Mariangela, Buscone, Simona, Bolla, Monica, De Icco, Roberto, Baricich, Alessio, Pacchetti, Claudio, Cisari, Carlo, Sandrini, Giorgio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidental Falls; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; balance; bone density; Bone Density - physiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Densitometry; falls; Fear - psychology; Female; Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Bone - etiology; functional independence; gender; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease - blood; Parkinson Disease - complications; Parkinson Disease - diagnostic imaging; Parkinson Disease - psychology; Postural Balance - physiology; Sensation Disorders - etiology; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; traumatic fractures; Ultrasonography; Vitamin D - blood
• ISSN: 0020-7454; 1543-5245; 1563-5279
• DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2016.1206897

Aim: Evidence suggests that falls and associated bone fractures are more frequent in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD) than in the general population. In this cross-sectional study we evaluated the clinical and biochemical characteristics that are associated to falls, fractures and bone health in a population of PD subjects. Materials and methods: Forty-two consecutive subjects suffering from idiopathic PD (mild-to-moderate severity) with/without falls in the previous year were included. They were characterized as regards functional independence, balance, fear of falling, bone density (ultrasound densitometry) and plasma levels of vitamin D. Twenty-one age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were evaluated as controls. Results: We detected a greater degree of osteoporosis in PD subjects as compared to controls, more pronounced in males than in females (Z-score: M −3.8 ± 1.6, F −2.28 ± 0.92, p = 0.0006). A positive correlation was found between independence levels and bone density or vitamin D levels. Twenty seven patients (64%) reported falls in the previous year. These were associated to post-traumatic fractures in 16 subjects (59% of fallers). Women fell more than men (fallers: 20 F/7 M; non fallers: 4 F/11 M, χ² test p = 0.02), although the occurrence of post-traumatic fractures among fallers did not differ between sexes (F 11/9, M 5/2, χ² test p > 0.05). Fallers with post-traumatic fractures showed higher degrees of motor impairment. Conclusions: These findings confirm that falls and osteoporosis represent major health issues in PD, already in the middle stages of disease.