Review Article

The Current State of Parkinsonism in West Africa: A Systematic Review

Table 5

Symptoms and signs of PD described.

CategorySymptom or signBrief descriptionReferences

Primary motor symptomsResting tremorSlight tremor in the hand or foot on one side of the body[7, 16, 17, 20, 24, 26, 32, 37]
BradykinesiaDifficulty with repetitive movements[17, 20, 24, 26, 32, 37]
RigidityStiffness and inflexibility of the limbs, neck, and trunk[7, 16, 17, 20, 24, 26, 37]
Postural instabilityTendency to be unstable when standing upright[17, 24, 37]

Secondary motor symptomsFreezing of gaitHesitating before stepping and exaggerated first step[17, 24, 32]
MicrographiaShrinkage in handwriting[24]
HypomimiaDecreased expressiveness of the face[24]
FallsFalling due to instability[24, 32]
Speech problemDysarthria, drooling, and excess saliva[17, 24, 30, 33, 37]
DysphagiaDifficulty in swallowing[22, 25, 29, 30, 34]

Nonmotor symptomsCognitive disordersDelusion, hallucination, depression, agitation, anxiety, apathy, anxiety, irritability, forgetfulness[17, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33]
PainGeneralised body pains[16, 17, 21, 24, 33]
Sleep disorderInsomnia, interrupted sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness[16, 17, 21, 24, 33, 37]
Autonomic dysfunctionCardiovascular disorders[42]
Pulmonary problemsReduced vital capacity[14]
SialorrheaExcessive salivation[21, 34]
Mood disorderPersistent low mood[33, 37]
SweatingExcessive sweating[17, 33]
Genitourinary disordersUrinary incontinence, urinary urgency[21]
Gastrointestinal disordersConstipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain[17, 2022, 25, 34]