Autonomic and cognitive functions in Parkinson's disease (PD)

Here, the authors evaluated the relationship between the stages of Parkinson’s disease and autonomic dysfunction. In addition, they attempted to discern an association between autonomic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. The clinical stages of 63 patients were determined using the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stages and unified Parkinson’s disease rating motor scores. Cognitive functions were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and modified MMSE (3MS) tests. The scale for outcome in Parkinson’s disease autonomic (SCOPA-AUT) was used to evaluate autonomic symptoms and their severity was determined using the composite autonomic scoring scale (CASS). Using CASS, 86% had autonomic abnormalities, and H&Y stages correlated with MMSE, 3MS and SCOPA-AUT scores. The authors suggest that both qualitative and quantitative autonomic evaluation and regular cognitive screening even from early stages of the disease should be useful to facilitate better patient management.