Objective: The physiology of respiration is modulated by autonomic efferent neurons and circulating hormones. A continuous ambulatory monitoring of various respiratory parameters helps in early identification of sympatho-vagal(autonomic) dysregulation in Parkinson’s Disease(PD).

Background: We aim to compare different respiratory parameters in normal individuals and PD subjects & to detect autonomic dysregulation in PD subjects.

Methods: Prospective cross sectional study which included 40 subjects- 20 normal subjects and 20 diagnosed PD subjects (H& Y Stage <3) were conducted at the Departments of Neurosciences,Academic Medisch Centrum,Amsterdam,Netherlands & Sarada Hospital,Kochi,India.A 24hr ambulatory monitoring of each subject was done during the sleep-wake cycle &phases of activities using the respiratory inductance plethysmography.Respiratory parameters like Respiratory Rate Variability(RRV),Thoracoabdominal ratio(TAR%),& Low frequency-high frequency ratio(LF/HF) were assessed.

Results: Mean RRV during sleep in normal & PD subjects were 36.34% & 21.51% respectively.The study showed PD subjects showed lower respiratory rate variability than normal during sleep-wake cycle(p=0.01 & 0.02 respectively).Mean TAR% during sleep in normal and PD groups were 54.18% & 60.86% respectively. During awake state, PD subjects had significantly higher TAR% than normal(p=0.02).LF/HF ratios were highest in PD subjects compared to normal individuals throughout sleep-awake cycle & physical activities.(p=<0.001).

Conclusions: Our study showed the importance of using RRV,TAR%,LF/HF ratio as new surrogate markers for autonomic imbalance & sympath-vagal dysregulation and to detect early dysautonomia in PD subjects.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/autonomic-dysfunction-in-parkinsons-disease-role-of-new-surrogate-markers/