Objective:
To understand the burden and impact of symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) on patients
Background:
nOH and its symptoms such as dizziness/lightheadedness are common in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and other forms of autonomic dysfunction.
Methods:
An author-designed, US-based survey was conducted by Harris Poll. Eligible participants were aged ≥18 years with PD, multiple system atrophy (MSA), or pure autonomic failure and ≥1 of the following: orthostatic hypotension, nOH, low BP, OH/nOH symptoms, or were caregivers of eligible patients.
Results:
Most patients (90%) had a diagnosis of PD, and most caregivers (88%) cared for a patient with PD
(Table 1)
. Patients (34%) and caregivers (49%) reported experiencing nOH symptoms before PD or MSA motor symptoms and >40% indicated that nOH symptoms were more troublesome than motor manifestations of PD or MSA. Less than a quarter (22%) of respondents suggested symptoms were most severe in the morning; more (30%) reported a consistent severity throughout the day. Patients (40%) and caregivers (63%) reported trouble managing symptoms during the day. In the past 12 months, a fall due to nOH symptoms was reported by 57% of patients and 80% of caregivers.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that nOH symptoms may predate the onset of motor symptoms in neurodegenerative conditions linked to alpha-synuclein pathology. Many respondents report nOH symptoms are the same severity through the day. Patients with nOH may have trouble managing symptoms and note an increased risk for falls.
Is pure autonomic failure an early marker for Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy? And other updates on recent autonomic research
