Skin function and skin disorders in Parkinson's disease

• Published in: Journal of Neural Transmission Vol. 108; no. 2; pp. 205 - 213
• Main Authors: FISCHER, M, GEMENDE, I, MARSCH, W. Ch, FISCHER, P. A
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wien Springer 01.01.2001; New York, NY Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Dermatitis, Seborrheic - etiology; Dermatitis, Seborrheic - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Hyperhidrosis - etiology; Hyperhidrosis - physiopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neurology; Parkinson Disease - complications; Parkinson Disease - physiopathology; Parkinson's disease; Rosacea - etiology; Rosacea - physiopathology; Sebum - metabolism; Skin - metabolism; Skin - physiopathology; Human; Nervous system diseases; Skin disease; Central nervous system disease; Parkinson disease; Degenerative disease; Cerebral disorder; Extrapyramidal syndrome
• ISSN: 0300-9564; 1435-1463
• DOI: 10.1007/s007020170088

Cutaneous symptoms (seborrhoea and hyperhidrosis) in Parkinson's disease were investigated. In 70 treated patients with Parkinson's disease and 22 control subjects, non-invasive bioengineering methods (sebumetry, corneometry, pH) were carried out on the forehead, sternum and forearm. In addition, concomitant dermatoses and medication were recorded. 18.6% of the patients had seborrhoea on the forehead (>220 microg/cm2), 51.4% showed normal sebum values (100-220 microg/cm2) and 30% a sebostasis (<100 microg/cm2). Males has significantly higher sebum values than females. No relationship between the seborrhoea and the therapy for Morbus Parkinson was found. Patients with hyperhidrosis (n = 36) had significantly lower pH values (p < 0.05) on the forehead than those without hyperhidrosis. 22 patients (31.9%) reported a cold/hot flush and a further 13 (18.8%) had clinical rosacea. Seborrhoea is rare in treated Parkinsonian patients but hyperhidrosis is frequently found. Furthermore, a particular lack of vasostability (flush) appears to be an autonomic dysregulation in the skin related to Morbus Parkinson, which has not been studied to any extent to date.