EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 4 PM ET, March 15, 2010
Guideline Issued for Treating Sleep, Constipation, Sexual Problems in Parkinson鈥檚 Disease
ST. PAUL, Minn. -
The has issued a new recommending the most effective treatments to help people with who experience sleep, constipation, and sexual problems, which are common but often underrecognized symptoms. The guideline is published in the March 16, 2010, issue of the medical journal of the 好色先生. 鈥淲hile the main symptom of Parkinson鈥檚 disease is movement problems, there are many other symptoms to be aware of, including sleep disorders, constipation, and problems with urination and sexual function,鈥 said lead guideline author Theresa A. Zesiewicz, MD, with the University of South Florida in Tampa and a Fellow of the 好色先生. 鈥淲ithout treatment, these symptoms can cause as much pain and discomfort as movement problems and greatly affect daily routines and quality of life.鈥 Sexual problems often affect people with Parkinson鈥檚 disease. In men with Parkinson鈥檚, erectile dysfunction is common. According to the guideline, the drug sildenafil citrate may improve erectile dysfunction. The guideline also found the drug isosmotic macrogol may improve constipation in people with Parkinson鈥檚 disease. For problems with excessive daytime sleepiness, the guideline recommends that doctors consider the drug modafinil to help people feel more awake. However, it鈥檚 important to note that one study showed people taking modafinil had a false sense of alertness. This may pose a safety risk for activities such as driving. The guideline also found the drug methylphenidate may help with fatigue. The guideline mentions two tests to help identify nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson鈥檚 disease. One is the NMSQuest rating scale. The other is the Unified Parkinson鈥檚 Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The original UPDRS mainly tests for movement problems. Doctors use the updated version of the UPDRS to test for all Parkinson鈥檚 symptoms, including those unrelated to movements. People with Parkinson鈥檚 disease should talk to their doctor about whether these tests may be helpful. 鈥淢ore research is needed into these symptoms of Parkinson鈥檚 disease since there are still a lot of unknown answers as to what causes these symptoms and how they can best be treated to improve lives,鈥 said Zesiewicz.
