Abstract
In Parkinson’s disease (PD), respiratory disturbances have been reported and the effect of levodopa on respiratory function remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate pulmonary function utilizing spirometric and subjective evaluations in mild to moderated PD. Thirty-four consecutive sporadic PD patients (Hoehn and Yahr scale: 1–3) were prospectively evaluated using clinimetric scales, spirometry and modified Borg scale, all in off- and on-conditions. To check the respiratory function, a follow-up was performed at 4 years in a subgroup of these patients. Spirometric results were normal for all patients in both the on- and off-conditions at baseline. After levodopa administration, in addition to a significant improvement in subjective state of breathing discomfort, the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC) values and their mean percentages predicted values (FEV1%, VC%, FVC%) were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, residual volume, total lung capacity, and the FEV1/FVC ratio were not significantly different for the ON and OFF conditions. At 4-year follow-up no resulting variations in the baseline values for FEV1%, FVC% or VC% were revealed. The results from this prospective study suggest that PD patients report frequently pulmonary discomfort. Levodopa improves respiratory symptoms. Pulmonary restrictive and obstructive dysfunctions, when not present at baseline, might not be present at 4-year follow-up.
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The study has been supported by a Grant from the FRESCO Institute at the New York University Langone Health.
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NT received travel Grants from Abbvie, Merz and Zambon. NM received fees for lectures from Chiesi farmaceutici, Gruppo Menarini Spa, AstraZeneca. PN received a travel Grant from Abbvie. FPP received travel Grant form Zambon. EB received travel Grant from Ecupharma. SS received travel Grant from Abbvie. PC received research support from Bayer Schering, Biogen-Dompé, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eisai, Lundbeck, Merck-Serono, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis, Sigma-Tau, and UCB Pharma. GM, MF and MR declare that there are no disclosures to report.
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Tambasco, N., Murgia, N., Nigro, P. et al. Levodopa-responsive breathing discomfort in Parkinson’s disease patients. J Neural Transm 125, 1033–1036 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-018-1890-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-018-1890-4