ABSTRACT

Materials and Methods:

In this study 59 Parkinson’s disease patients (aged ≥40 years) were included. Patients with a disease that may impair their vitamin D metabolism were not included to the study. 25-OH Vitamin D levels in plasma, Ca, P, ALP, PTH, TSH, BUN and Cr values and DXA values were measured from the obtained blood samples by high performance liquid chromatography method. Bone mineral density was measured. Lateral thoracic and lumbar vertebra radiographs were obtained, and vertebra fracture were recorded in as lumbar thoracic fracture with degree and level. Parkinson’s disease staging was done using Hoehn Yahr Scale.

Results:

There were 33 men and 26 women patients. In the study population, mean age was 66.1±10.2 years while mean body mass index was 29.5±5.1 kg/m2. Osteoporotic vertebral fracture was detected in 35 patients and it was not detected in 24 patients. Vitamin D level was less than 10 IU/dL in 46.9% of the patients and it was less than 20 IU/dL in 83.7% of them. This was lower than the normal population value. Mean vitamin D concentration was 15.0±1.84 in Parkinson’s disease patients with vertebral fracture and posture problems while it was 12.7±1.1 in patients without vertebral fracture. There was no significant relation between vitamin D and fracture presence (p>0.005). In our study, no significant correlation was found between posture problem and vitamin D levels. However, it was shown that vitamin D levels were lower in Parkinson’s disease patients than in general population.

Conclusion:

It should be kept in mind that vitamin D levels might be low in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Given the high risk for pelvic fracture, fall and osteoporosis, periodical vitamin D and osteoporosis examinations should be performed in Parkinson’s disease patients.