Salivary Gland Function in Parkinson's Disease Using Sequential Salivary Scintigraphy

Lee, Kyu Yong; Kim, Hyun Young; Koh, Seong Ho; Lee, Young Joo; Kim, Hee Tae; Kim, Seung Hyun; Kim, Juhan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) often presents with various types of autonomic dysfunction. Sialorrhea is frequently reported in patients with idiopathic PD. The present study was performed to compare the salivary function and severity of idiopathic PD between a patients with PD group and an age-matched control group, using salivary scintigraphy.
METHODS
Twenty patients with idiopathic PD and fourteen age-matched controls were studied. Each subject received 7 mCi of 99mTc sodium pertechnetate intravenously. Sequential salivary scintigraphy was taken for 50 minutes. For the analysis of glandular function, we measured the uptake index (UI). The UI is the ratio between the glandular uptake value and the value for the background region of the skull. We compared the maximal UI in the patients with PD group and the age-matched control group.
RESULTS
In the patients with PD group, the mean UI was 4.84 2.65 in the submandibular gland and 3.21 1.36 in the parotid gland. In the age-matched control group, the mean UI was 6.98 3.91 in the submandibular gland and 4.73 2.72 in the parotid gland. The mean UI is significantly decreased in the PD group compared to the age-matched control group (p<0.01). However, there was no statistical difference between the maximal UI and severity of PD (Hoehn-Yahr scale).
CONCLUSIONS
Salivary function was decreased in patients with PD. It is suggested that sialorrhea is not due to the excessive production of saliva, but could be explained by swallowing difficulties.