Risk factors identified for somnolence, edema, hallucinations in early Parkinson’s

By Megan Rauscher

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Clinicians have identified several risk factors that are strongly associated with an increased risk for the development or worsening of somnolence, edema and hallucinations at the time that patients with early Parkinson’s disease initiate treatment with levodopa or pramipexole.

Among a cohort of 301 patients with early Parkinson’s disease without hallucinations at baseline, 17% developed hallucinations, 35% developed somnolence, and 45% developed edema during the 4 years that they were followed as part of the CALM-PD trial.

Initiating treatment with pramipexole was the strongest predictor of somnolence and edema, with hazard ratios of 2.22 and 3.18, respectively, Dr. Kevin M. Biglan of the University of Rochester, New York and colleagues report in the July 10th issue of Neurology.

Gender and comorbid illnesses were also important to the development of sleepiness and edema. Specifically, male gender and having multiple comorbid illnesses increased the odds of somnolence, with hazard ratios of 1.19 and 1.62, respectively. Female gender and comorbid cardiac disease were associated with edema, with hazard ratios of 1.46 and 1.59.

"Treatment type was not associated with an increase risk of hallucinations, except in younger patients," Dr. Biglan told Reuters Health. "Younger patients starting treatment with pramipexole were at much higher risk for hallucinations than younger patients treated with levodopa, although older patients were more likely to develop hallucinations than younger patients, regardless of the type of treatment started," he explained.

Slight cognitive deficits and, once again, comorbid illnesses were also associated with a higher risk for hallucinations. The hazard ratio for hallucinations with multiple comorbid illnesses was 3.42.

Dr. Biglan feels this study "is important because it makes physicians aware that somnolence, edema, and hallucinations are common in Parkinson’s disease patients and should not be overlooked as potential complications of treatment. This is the first time a patient’s other health problems have been identified as a risk factor for drowsiness," he added.

The findings, Dr. Biglan said, "may help guide treatment decisions."