Correlation between serum epidermal growth factor level change and cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the change in serum epidermal growth factor (EGF) level in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and correlate it with cognitive impairment.Methods:A total of 154 patients with early PD who received treatment in Hangzhou Third People's Hospital between July 2017 and June 2018 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into mild cognitive impairment (observation group) and no cognitive impairment (control group) according to the severity of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment was graded using Montreal cognitive assessment scale. Motor function was assessed using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III formulated by International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. All these assessments were performed at enrollment and at the end of 2-year follow-up. Serum EGF level was measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Patients without cognitive impairment were divided into four groups according to quartiles of serum EGF levels. The conversion rate of PD-MCI was calculated at 2 years of follow-up and compared between groups.Results:Among 154 patients, 68 (44.16%) patients developed PD-MCI, and 86 (55.84%) patients had no cognitive impairment. Montreal cognitive assessment scale score and serum EGF level in the observation group were (20.01 ± 3.15) points and (267.79 ± 63.18) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(28.21 ± 2.84) points, (491.53 ± 67.38) ng/L, t = 8.11, 9.03, both P < 0.001]. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(23.47 ± 5.33) points vs. (18.69 ± 4.37) points, t = 5.18, P < 0.001]. Among the first quartile group, 14 (63.64%) patients converted to PD-MCI; while among the fourth quartile group, 2 (9.52%) patients converted to PD-MCI. The conversion rate of PD-MCI in the second, third and fourth quartile groups was significantly lower than that in the first quartile group (χ 2 = 9.73, 14.48, 33.47, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Cognitive impairment in patients with PD is closely related to serum EGF level. Serum EGF level is a hematological index to predict cognitive impairment in patients with PD. This study is innovative and scientific.