Fatigue in Parkinson's disease: concepts and clinical approach

Psychogeriatrics. 2018 Mar;18(2):143-150. doi: 10.1111/psyg.12302. Epub 2018 Feb 6.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by a large number of motor and non-motor features. Fatigue is one of the most common and most disabling symptoms among patients with PD, and it has a significant impact on their quality of life. Although fatigue has been recognized for a long time, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood, and there is no evidence to support any therapeutic approach in PD patients. Expert consensus on case definition and diagnostic criteria for PD-related fatigue have been recently published, and although they still need to be adequately validated, they provide a great step forward in the study of fatigue. The goal of this article is to provide relevant information for the identification and management of patients with fatigue.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; apathy; depression; excessive daytime sleepiness; fatigue.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apathy*
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / complications
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / diagnosis*
  • Fatigue / diagnosis*
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Fatigue / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnosis
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Quality of Life
  • Severity of Illness Index