Diaphragmatic Thickness and Pulmonary Function in Parkinson's Disease

Respiratory complications are one of the most common causes of death in Parkinson's patients. In Parkinson's disease, abnormal flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 45° or more, which is called camptocormia, increases during walking or standing and disappears completely in the supine position. The prevalence of camptocormia among Parkinson's patients is about 7%. Camptocormia in Parkinson's disease is associated with significant disease disability, higher daily dopaminergic drug dosage, and cognitive impairment. Parkinson's patients with camptocormia often complain of shortness of breath, attributed to reduced pulmonary capacity due to limited chest expansion. Diaphragmatic dyskinesia in Parkinson's patients may also lead to a restrictive deterioration in respiratory functions. Diaphragmatic thickness indicates diaphragmatic contraction and is correlated with PFT. Our aim; It is a comparison of respiratory functions in Parkinson's patients with and without camptocormia.