Prevalence of drooling in patients with parkinson disease

Background and aims: Drooling is the involuntary spillage of saliva from the mouth and is apparent in approximately 75% of individuals with PD and was historically interpreted as resulting from hypersecretion of saliva because of autonomic dysfunction. Alteration in salivary gland function is believed to arise from PD-associated changes in the autonomic nervous system and possibly involves the salivary para-sympathetic ganglia. Irrespective of the amount of saliva produced, drooling probably occurs because of PD-related inability to efficiently swallow with normal frequency, an inability to fully close the mouth, and an anterior flexed head position. Recognizing and managing sialorrhea is an important issue to ensure quality of life for patients with PD. The study aims to identify prevalence of drooling at patients hospitalized at neurology department in Tirana and increasing awareness about the importance of sialorrhea treatment in PD patients. Methods: In this retrospective study we investigated the prevalence of drooling in PD patients. We investigated the distribution of drooling according to sex and age and also the impact of drooling in this population by neurological examination and questionnaires given to them in a 6-month time distance. In addition, we studied the impact of gender in drooling in this population. Results: Our results show that most of the patients participating in the study showed signs of drooling. A significant correlation exists between drooling and stages of disease. Furthermore, in males, the correlation between the prevalence of drooling was found to be clinically significant compared to females. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that drooling is a major concern in the course of PD and should be addressed and treated early in patients with PD. Key word: Parkinson Disease, prevalence, sialorrhea, quality of life