Objective: It is not clear that the onset of RBD (REM sleep behavior disorder) affect clinical characteristics of PD. A cross section study comparing clinical characteristics of PD between PD patients occurring before and after the onset of PD was conducted.

Background: RBD has been implicated as a preclinical symptom of α-synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Moreover, RBD may be a risk factor for deterioration of motor, autonomic and cognitive functions in PD patients.

Methods: Interviews regarding RBD symptoms were conducted and polysomnography was performed on 136 patients with PD. Patients were divided into group with RBD and without RBD. Moreover, group with RBD were categorized as group with RBD before onset of PD (RBD→PD) and that after onset of PD (PD→RBD). Two subgroups were compared on clinical characteristics of PD.

Results: Forty-seven PD patients with RBD had more severe parkinsonian symptoms, autonomic dysfunctions, and cognitive impairments than 89 PD patients without RBD. Moreover, thirty eight PD patients with RBD preceding PD (PD→RBD) had more patients with cognitive impairment than 9 PD patients with RBD that proceeding PD (RBD→PD).

Conclusions: The occurrence of RBD after the onset of PD might be important for aggravating factors of cognitive function.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/difference-of-rem-sleep-behavior-disorder-between-the-onset-of-before-and-after-parkinsons-disease/