[Comparison of clinical symptoms for Uygur and Han Parkinson's disease patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of clinical symptoms in Uygur and Han patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: The unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS), Hoehn-Yahr, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale, Alzheimer disease cooperative study-activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL) and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) were administered to 91 Uygur and 173 Han PD patients from Xinjiang Urumqi and surrounding region from June 2008 to September 2011 to compare the characteristics of clinical symptoms between Uygur and Han patients. RESULTS: The subjects of drug treatment in Han [108 (62.34%)] were more than in Uygur [36 (39.56%), (P < 0.05)]. However there were no significant differences in the subjects of effective treatment between two groups (P > 0.05). No significant inter-group differences existed in the scores of Hoehn-Yahr (P > 0.05). Compare with moderate and severe group in Hoehn-Yahr, there were no significant differences in the scores of ADL, UPDRS II and UPDRS III between two groups (P > 0.05). The subjects of resting tremor, increased muscle tone and bradykinesia as the presenting symptoms in Uygur [8 (19.05%)] were more than in Han [7 (7.07%), (P < 0.05)]. And the subjects of N-type progressive in Uygur [36 (85.71%)] were more than in Han [48 (48.48%), (P < 0.05)]. There were no significant differences in other presenting symptoms, initial site, on-off phenomenon and dyskinesia between two groups (P > 0.05). No significant differences existed in the scores of MMSE and NPI between two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: No significant differences exist in typical motor symptoms, severity of disease, activities of daily living, cognitive dysfunction and psychiatric symptoms between Uygur and Han. But N-type progressive is more common in Uygur. And the presenting symptoms of resting tremor, increased muscle tone and bradykinesia are also higher in Uygur.

[Association between polymorphism of dopamine ß-hydroxylase gene and Parkinson's disease in Uygurs and Hans of Xinjiang].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between dopamine ß-hydroxylase gene polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease (PD) in Uygurs and Hans populations of Xinjiang. METHODS: The polymorphisms of DBH gene were determined by polymerase chain-reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 239 PD patients (including 100 Uygurs and 141 Hans) and 232 health controls (including 103 Uygurs and 129 Hans). RESULTS: The genotypic or allelic distribution of DBH gene had significant differences between PD and control groups in both Uygur and Han populations (P < 0.05). The genotypic or allelic frequencies were significantly different between Han PD and control groups (P < 0.05). The genotypic or allelic frequencies in those aged 65 years or above were significantly different from that in others (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase of PD in A2 allele carriers (OR = 1.965, P < 0.05). And the frequencies of A2 allele in female PD patients were higher than those in female controls (P < 0.05) and A2 allele carriers had a significant increase of PD (OR = 1.696, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Different between Uygurs and Hans of Xinjiang, DBH5 TaqI polymorphisms may be associated with PD in Hans. A2 allele carriers are often found in females and those aged 65 years or above.

[Investigation on prevalence rate of essential tremor in population aged 55 years old and above in Kashkar, between 2008 and 2009].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and clinical feature of essential tremor (ET) in a community cohort of the elderly in Kashkar. METHODS: By using a door-to-door, two-phase screening approach, some 2834 residents of Hans ethnicity were investigated form 2008 to 2009. RESULTS: In this study, 184 ET patients were found. The prevalence rate of ET was 6.49%. The prevalence rate was increased with age and higher in men (8.45%) than in women (4.59%), especially in people aged above 75 years old. The prevalence rate of ET was 7.26% in illiterate people, followed by 7.27%, 5.81%, 5.58% and 9.37% in those having received primary, junior, senior high school and college. The ratio of windowed people in ET patients was 15.21%, higher to the ratio of windowed people in total number. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of ET increased with age, but not influenced by education.