Hair Loss: A Well-Known Yet Understudied Symptom in Parkinson's Disease Patients During Dopaminergic Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Hair loss has been reported to occur during dopaminergic therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease. The mechanism by which dopaminergic therapy induces hair loss is not well understood. Dopamine receptors are present in the hair follicle, where they regulate melanin production. However, the role of dopamine receptors in hair growth is still not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hair loss and identify factors associated with complaints of hair loss in patients with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional design involving 495 Parkinson's disease patients was applied to evaluate hair loss status. Patients completed a questionnaire, and scalp/hair examinations were performed. Patients with underlying conditions that could affect hair loss and those prescribed medications known to increase the risk of hair loss were excluded. Finally, 291 patients (58.8%) were included for analysis. RESULTS: Among the 495 patients, 138 (27.9%) reported hair loss. Interestingly, more than half of the patients who complained of hair loss (79 out of 138) did not utilize treatments such as hair products, massage, dietary modifications, or alopecia medications. Hair inspection by a single investigator revealed objective hair loss in 263 patients (53.1%). An analysis of factors associated with hair loss complaints showed that the intake of dopaminergic medications with a levodopa-equivalent daily dose > 448 mg was associated with complaints of hair loss. CONCLUSION: Dopaminergic medication is associated with hair loss complaints in Parkinson's disease patients.

Predicting postoperative total calcium requirements after parathyroidectomy in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To prevent hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy (PTX), parenteral calcium is required in addition to oral calcitriol and calcium. After switching to oral calcium, patients can be discharged from the hospital. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PTX performed at a single Korean center and to investigate the associated laboratory factors used to analyze the total amount of postoperative calcium required. METHODS: We enrolled 91 hemodialysis patients undergoing PTX from November 2003 to December 2011. We collected clinical and laboratory data preoperatively, 12 and 48 hours postoperatively, at discharge, and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: In total, 59 patients underwent PTX with autotransplantation (AT), 6 underwent total PTX without AT, 11 underwent subtotal PTX, and 15 underwent limited PTX. Total PTX without AT showed the lowest recurrence rate. At all postoperative time points, the mean levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) decreased significantly, compared with preoperative levels; however, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased significantly from 48 hours postoperatively to discharge (p < 0.001). On multiple linear regression analysis, the total amount of injected calcium during hospitalization showed a significant correlation with preoperative ALP (p < 0.001), preoperative iPTH (p = 0.037), and Δphosphorus at 48 hours (p < 0.001). We developed an equation for estimating the total calcium requirement after PTX. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative ALP, preoperative iPTH, and Δphosphorus at 48 hours may be significant factors in estimating the postoperative calcium requirement. The formula for postoperative calcium requirement after PTX may help to predict the duration of postoperative hospitalization.