Hypertension associated with more serious forms of Parkinson | Figure 1
Hypertension associated with more serious forms of Parkinson’s
Long time ago, researchers have considered that there is a link between hypertension and Parkinson's disease and now scientists have provided evidence that patients with hypertension are more seriously affected by Parkinson's disease than patients with normal blood pressure.
An Italian-British team analyzed data from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) global database, with a focus on whether certain Parkinson's markers differed in patients with early untreated Parkinson's with and without Hypertension and, if so, to what extent.
They observed that, in comparison to Parkinson's and non-hypertensive patients, those with hypertension had worse motor symptoms, including muscle stiffness or impaired voluntary motor functions, as well as reduced capacity in the affected basal ganglia. In general, higher systolic and pulse blood pressure correlated with worse motor symptoms and greater loss of posterior putamen.
The authors emphasized that the data are only preliminary and that future analyzes are needed to clarify the association between hypertension and Parkinson's. They suggested, however, that optimal treatment of hypertension may help improve Parkinson's symptoms.
Source: 3rd EAN Congress Amsterdam 2017, Abstract Giordano et al., Hypertension and Parkinson’s disease.
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