Lack of Association between Impulse Control Disorders and REM Sleep Behavior Disorder in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Purpose: Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and impulse control disorders (ICDs) are common in subjects with Parkinson's disease. The association between these two conditions has been contradictory. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between these two non-motor symptoms. Methods: Consecutive subjects with Parkinson's disease attending the Movement Disorders Outpatient Clinic were included. The presence of ICDs was assessed using the Questionnaire for Impulse Control Disorders Rating Scale. RBD was diagnosed by an overnight, single night polysomnography. Results: Fifty-five consecutive subjects with Parkinson's disease were included. The prevalence of ICDs and related behaviors was 23.6% (ICD in 14.5% and related behaviors in 9.1%). RBD was diagnosed in 47.2% of the patients. No differences were found in the frequency of ICDs and related behaviors when comparing subjects with and without RBD (23% versus 24.1%, p = 0.926, respectively). Conclusion: No association between the presence of RBD and the frequency of ICDs in subjects with Parkinson's disease was found.

Impulse control disorders in Parkinson disease and RBD

“…8 This finding was then replicated in cohorts with both clinically 44 and polysomnography 7 -diagnosed PD-RBD. Further studies with smaller sample sizes, 45–47 aiming to specifically address this question, have failed to show this association. This large study adds robust evidence for the lack of association between PD-RBD and PD-ICD.…”