Anis Jukkarwala

Background: Dopaminergic medications applied in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are associated with Impulse control disorder (ICD). Risk factors of ICD in PD include younger age, male sex and personal or family history of addiction. ICDs are under-acknowledged because of shyness or ignorance. Early detection of ICDs by correlations is of vital importance. Objectives : To estimate the point prevalence of ICD in the local cases of PD using the series of rating scales and to examine the association of various ICD manifestations in these patients. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted in 54 cases (parkinsonian patients) & 53 control (non-parkinsonian), who underwent Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). For screening, tests like Modified Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview, DSM IV-RT, PDQ-39 Summary Index & various others were applied consecutively. Patients with Mini Mental state examination (MMSE) score less than 24 and those who already had mood or psychiatric disorders were excluded. A standard calculation of Levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) was applied to all. SPSS 20.0 was used for various statistical tests. Results: Overall incidence of one or more ICDs among Parkinson’s disease patients was 23 out of 54 (42.59%) compared to 3 out of 53 (5.66%) in healthy control group. Hypersexuality 9(16.66%) and compulsive buying 9(16.66%) was found to be more common ICD in PD patients as compared to control. Impulse control disorders like punding, gambling, sex adventures, binge eating, impulsiveness were significantly different and worse in the Parkinson’s disease. Conclusion: PD and/or it’s treatment is more prognostic of ICDs than these ‘so-called’ harbingers like younger age, male gender or addiction. Keywords: Impulse control disorder, Parkinson’s disease dopaminergic drugs