Prevalence and clinical characteristics of impulse control disorder in Southern Brazilian Parkinson's disease patients.

BACKGROUND

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are potentially serious complications of Parkinson's disease (PD). Treatment, particularly the use of dopamine agonists (DAs), is associated with the development of ICDs and related behaviors. However, susceptibility to these disorders appears to be linked to specific risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency, clinical presentation, and factors associated with the development of ICDs in a population of patients with PD.

METHODS

Patients with PD were screened for ICD-related symptoms using the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson''s Disease -Current Short (QUIP-CS) questionnaire. Additionally, they underwent cognitive evaluation and were assessed using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Sociodemographic data and disease progression information were collected. Levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) was calculated for each patient.

RESULTS

Of the 90 patients evaluated, 42 (46.6%) exhibited symptoms of ICDs. The most frequent subtype was binge eating (50%), followed by compulsive buying (33.3%) and hypersexuality (21.4%). A significant association was found between DA use and the development of ICDs (p = 0.041). Patients with ICDs using DAs had a higher mean LEDD (p < 0.001) and a higher frequency of motor complications (MDS-UPDRS Part IV, p = 0.028) compared to those not using DAs.

CONCLUSION

In the current study, the use of DAs was the main risk factor associated with the development of impulse control disorders. No other significant associated factors could be identified.