Kg. Byrne et al., GASTROINTESTINAL DYSFUNCTION IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE - A REPORT OF CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE AT A SINGLE-CENTER, Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 19(1), 1994, pp. 11-16
We describe our clinical experience in the evaluation of gastrointesti
nal symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Dysphagia, heartbur
n, medication-related nausea, and constipation were the predominant sy
mptoms. Although all of the patients localized their dysphagia to the
oropharynx and although oropharyngeal dysfunction was common, evaluati
on revealed significant dysfunction in either the esophageal body or l
ower esophageal sphincter in many-gastroesophageal reflux-related dise
ase being especially common. Studies of anorectal sphincter and pelvic
floor function in those patients with constipation demonstrated a hig
h incidence of abnormal external anal sphincter dysfunction. We conclu
de, first, that dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease should
not be assumed to result solely from oropharyngeal dysfunction but des
erves detailed evaluation and, second, that constipation in Parkinson'
s disease is commonly consequent on anorectal sphincter and pelvic flo
or dysfunction.