Eva Schaeffer1, Alina Schermann2, Florian Zirbs3, Daniela Berg1,4. 1. Department of Neurology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany. 2. Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen, Germany. 3. Department of Anaesthesiology, Diakonie-Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. 4. Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) regularly report an increased desire for food or beverages with high sugar content. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis of an increased intake of fast-acting carbohydrates in PD patients. METHODS: This study investigated the consumption of high-sugar content food products in 221 PD patients compared with 184 healthy controls using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Male PD patients reported a significantly more often high consumption of chocolate (p = 0.005) and other sweets (p < 0.001) than healthy controls. Moreover, PD patients with a high intake of these products showed a significantly longer disease duration (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed changes in intake of fast-acting carbohydrates derived from sweets in PD. Future studies should address the observed association with disease progression to understand underlying pathophysiological mechanisms leading to this behavioral change.
BACKGROUND: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) regularly report an increased desire for food or beverages with high sugar content. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis of an increased intake of fast-acting carbohydrates in PD patients. METHODS: This study investigated the consumption of high-sugar content food products in 221 PD patients compared with 184 healthy controls using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Male PD patients reported a significantly more often high consumption of chocolate (p = 0.005) and other sweets (p < 0.001) than healthy controls. Moreover, PD patients with a high intake of these products showed a significantly longer disease duration (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed changes in intake of fast-acting carbohydrates derived from sweets in PD. Future studies should address the observed association with disease progression to understand underlying pathophysiological mechanisms leading to this behavioral change.