Assessment of autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: the SCOPA-AUT

Mov Disord. 2004 Nov;19(11):1306-12. doi: 10.1002/mds.20153.

Abstract

We developed a questionnaire to assess autonomic symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and evaluated its reliability and validity. Based on the results of a postal survey in 46 PD patients, 21 multiple system atrophy patients, and 8 movement disorders specialists, items were included according to their frequency, burden, and clinical relevance. The questionnaire was evaluated in 140 PD patients and 100 controls, and test-retest reliability was established in a sample of 55 PD patients. The SCOPA-AUT consists of 25 items assessing the following regions: gastrointestinal (7), urinary (6), cardiovascular (3), thermoregulatory (4), pupillomotor (1), and sexual (2 items for men and 2 items for women) dysfunction. Test-retest reliability was good. Autonomic problems increased significantly with increasing disease severity for all autonomic regions, except sexual dysfunction. We conclude that SCOPA-AUT is a reliable and valid questionnaire that evaluates autonomic dysfunction in PD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple System Atrophy / diagnosis
  • Multiple System Atrophy / epidemiology
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnosis*
  • Parkinson Disease / epidemiology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sick Role
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*