Autonomic dysfunctions in dementia with Lewy bodies

J Neurol. 2003 May;250(5):530-3. doi: 10.1007/s00415-003-1029-9.

Abstract

Twenty-nine cases of both clinically and neuropathologically diagnosed dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) were retrospectively examined for autonomic symptoms. Twenty-eight cases showed some kind of autonomic dysfunction. Urinary incontinence (97 %) and constipation (83 %) were the two most common. Although urinary retention and episodic hypotension causing syncopal attacks were less common, the frequency was still high (28 % each). There were 18 cases (62 %) with severe autonomic failure. These 28 cases showed similar tendencies, with no significant differences between the subtypes of DLB (brainstem, limbic, and neocortical types or common and pure forms). We found that DLB of all pathological subtypes exhibits some kind and level of autonomic symptoms.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / complications
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lewy Body Disease / complications
  • Lewy Body Disease / pathology*
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies