Early-Onset Parkinson's Disease

ABSTRACT

Between 1986 and 1990, nine patients with early-onset Parkinson's disease were examined in the Neurologic Clinic of Yongdong Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine. The incidence of the disease was 3.9% of the total patients(228 cases) of Parkinson's disease. All except one were sporadic. There were 4 men and 5 women. Their ages of onset ranged from 27 to 39 years(mean, 33.9 years), but none with onset before 21 was seen in this study. The intervals between initial symptoms and establishing the diagnosis ranged from 1 to 9 years(mean, 4.4 years). The initial symptoms were tremor(55.6%). Gait disturbance(33.3%), and weakness. The most frequent clinical findings of early-onset Parkinson's disease displayed no significant differences from those of adult-onset Parkinson's disease. None had autonomic dysfunction, dementia, dystonic phenomenon,or marked diumal fluctuation. According to the modified Hoehn and Yahr's classification. 1 case were in stage I, 5 in stage II, 2 in stage m. and 1 in stage IV. All patients responded initially to levodopa(Sinemet). But 2 patiens showed early appearance of levodopa related abnormal involuntaly movements.