Background and Aim: Parkinson Disease (PD) is a common cause of disability in the aged. PD patients need life long drug therapy and rehabilitation. This study was to evaluate the initial manifestations of PD.
Materials and Methods: In this case-series study, 100 consecutive elderly patients with PD enrolled in a prospective case series study in Valie-e-Asr neurology clinic affiliated to Birjand University of Medical Sciences during 2002-2004. PD was confirmed by a neurologist based on the criteria developed by British Parkinson association. Age of the patients at PD onset and its first clinical manifestations were kept in a data base. The obtained data was statistically analysed applying SPSS software, chi-square and t-test, at the significant level P≤0.05.
Results: 100 PD patients were evaluated, of whom 68 were males and 32 females. Mean age of the patients at the onset of PD was 63.6±9.6 years. In 76% of our PD patients, resting tremor was the initial manifestation. Right hand, left hand, and both hands tremor were the initial manifestation in 50%, 14% and 12% of our PD patients, respectively. Hypokinesia-bradykinesia, Rigidity and dementia consisted 18%, 4% and 2% of initial PD manifestations respectively.
Conclusion: Resting tremor in the right hand is the most common initial manifestation of PD in elderly PD patients and therefore it should be taken into account as a significant sign in the initial diagnosis of PD.