Skin function and skin disorders in Parkinson's disease

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2001;108(2):205-13. doi: 10.1007/s007020170088.

Abstract

Cutaneous symptoms (seborrhoea and hyperhidrosis) in Parkinson's disease were investigated. In 70 treated patients with Parkinson's disease and 22 control subjects, non-invasive bioengineering methods (sebumetry, corneometry, pH) were carried out on the forehead, sternum and forearm. In addition, concomitant dermatoses and medication were recorded. 18.6% of the patients had seborrhoea on the forehead (>220 microg/cm2), 51.4% showed normal sebum values (100-220 microg/cm2) and 30% a sebostasis (<100 microg/cm2). Males has significantly higher sebum values than females. No relationship between the seborrhoea and the therapy for Morbus Parkinson was found. Patients with hyperhidrosis (n = 36) had significantly lower pH values (p < 0.05) on the forehead than those without hyperhidrosis. 22 patients (31.9%) reported a cold/hot flush and a further 13 (18.8%) had clinical rosacea. Seborrhoea is rare in treated Parkinsonian patients but hyperhidrosis is frequently found. Furthermore, a particular lack of vasostability (flush) appears to be an autonomic dysregulation in the skin related to Morbus Parkinson, which has not been studied to any extent to date.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Dermatitis, Seborrheic / etiology*
  • Dermatitis, Seborrheic / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperhidrosis / etiology*
  • Hyperhidrosis / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Rosacea / etiology
  • Rosacea / physiopathology
  • Sebum / metabolism
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin / physiopathology