Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease patients: Prevalence, associated factors and its impact on balance confidence

Abstract Background Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a commonly reported sign of the cardiovascular autonomic dysfunctions associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Patients might suffer from a variety of the clinical symptoms of OH, including dizziness, lightheadedness, or problems with vision and fatigue. Objectives To determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, symptomatic orthostatic hypotension (OH) in Parkinson's disease (PD) and to identify any relationships between the clinical symptoms of OH and balance confidence in this patient population. Methods Symptomatic OH was defined as a systolic or diastolic BP fall of ≥ 20 or ≥ 10 mmHg respectively, within 3 min of standing and an Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ) score of more than zero. Factors related to symptomatic OH were identified from a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Pearson's correlation test was used to reveal any relationships between the clinical symptoms of OH and a patient's confidence in their ability to balance, assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Results 100 Thai PD patients were consecutively recruited into this study. The prevalence of symptomatic OH was 18%, asymptomatic OH was 4%, while 78% were patients without OH. Factors associated with symptomatic OH were age (OR, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.003–1.115, p = 0.038) and hypertension (OR, 95%CI: 6.16, 1.171–32.440, p = 0.032). A significant and negative correlation (r = − 0.229, p = 0.022) between OHQ composite scores and item 3 of the ABC scale (picking up slippers from floor), one of the movements in a vertical orientation, was found. Conclusion Elderly PD patients and with a co-morbidity of essential hypertension should be closely evaluated for the presence of symptomatic OH. In addition, they should be advised to change positions slowly, especially those in a vertical orientation.