Impact of drooling in Parkinson's disease

J Neurol. 2007 Sep;254(9):1227-32. doi: 10.1007/s00415-007-0508-9. Epub 2007 Aug 2.

Abstract

Drooling is a well known problem in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate the severity and consequences of drooling in PD. A comprehensive drooling questionnaire was sent to 105 PD outpatients, who had volunteered drooling during a previous questionnaire (n = 216). Among 63 patients who responded and confirmed drooling, 27% experienced severe saliva loss. Social and emotional consequences were reported by 17% to 77% of patients, and significantly more often by those with severe drooling. We conclude that drooling is a frequent, disabling and apparently undertreated symptom of PD. History taking ought to be detailed and specific to understand the full impact of drooling for an individual patient. Therapeutic options should be evaluated more intensively.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands / epidemiology
  • Parkinson Disease / epidemiology
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sialorrhea / diagnosis*
  • Sialorrhea / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires