Frailty and Parkinson's Disease: the Role of Diabetes Mellitus

Overview

Journal Front Med (Lausanne)

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2024 Jun 17

PMID 38882667

Authors

Klara Komici

Antonella Pansini

Leonardo Bencivenga

Giuseppe Rengo

Gennaro Pagano

Germano Guerra

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease associated with a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, clinically characterized by motor and non-motor signs. Frailty is a clinical condition of increased vulnerability and negative health outcomes due to the loss of multiple physiological reserves. Chronic hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, which characterize diabetes mellitus (DM), have been reported to alter dopaminergic activity, increase the risk of PD, and influence the development of frailty. Even though diabetes may facilitate the development of frailty in patients with PD, this relationship is not established and a revision of the current knowledge is necessary. Furthermore, the synergy between DM, PD, and frailty may drive clinical complexity, worse outcomes, and under-representation of these populations in the research. In this review, we aimed to discuss the role of diabetes in the development of frailty among patients with PD. We summarized the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with concomitant DM, PD, and frailty. Finally, interventions to prevent frailty in this population are discussed.

Citing Articles

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