Determinants of autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Objectives: To determine factors, such as age, motor stage, disease duration, therapy and comorbidities which may influence the severity of autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). Methods: 532 patients with IPD aged between 55 and 75 years were included. Severity of autonomic dysfunction was assessed using a 9-item score (ADS). In addition, several demographic (e.g. age, gender, comorbidities) and disease-related (e.g. motor stage, disease duration, antiparkinsonian therapy) factors were recorded. A group of 67 age-matched healthy volunteers served as a control group. Demographic and clini…