Author/Authors :
Kovács, Márton Doctoral School of Clinical Neuroscience - University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary , Makkos, Attila Doctoral School of Clinical Neuroscience - University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary , Pintér, Dávid Doctoral School of Clinical Neuroscience - University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary , Juhász, Annamária Doctoral School of Clinical Neuroscience - University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary , Darnai, Gergely Department of Neurology - University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary , Karádi, Kázmér Institute of Behavioral Sciences - University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary , Janszky, József Department of Neurology - University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary , Kovács, Norbert Department of Neurology - University of Pécs Medical School, Hungary
Abstract :
Background. Impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s disease (PD) represent emerging problems with potentially devastating
consequences. The standard screening methods for impulse control disorders are clinically imperfect. Although it is rarely
reported, many patients utilize the Internet to fulfill their compulsive behaviors because of its easy accessibility. We designed a
study to test the hypothesis that an active screening for excessive Internet use and Internet addiction might improve the
sensitivity of identification of impulse control disorders. Methods. The standard screening method included the Questionnaire
for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease and the modified Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview. In the
second round, the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire was also assessed for detecting excessive Internet use. Results. While
the standard approach identified 19 patients out of 106 (17.9%) with any type of impulse control disorders, screening for the
problematic Internet use detected 29 patients with impulse control disorders (27.4%) having significantly better efficacy over the
standard method (p = 0 004, the McNemar test). Conclusions. Our study suggests that the screening for problematic Internet use
by the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire is an effective, feasible, and easy-to-use add-on method for identifying PD
patients with impulse control disorders more efficiently and probably at earlier stages.
