Acute Movement Disorder as a Presenting Feature of Hyperglycemia: A Report of Six Consecutive Cases

This report will highlight the significance of movement disorder as an important clinical manifestation of hyperglycaemia particularly in elderly patients. It is a review of six (6) consecutive cases seen over a five year period (1999-2003) along with the relevant literature. Four (4) of the six patients were females aged 54, 65, 75 and 85 years respectively. The two males were aged 70 and 80 years respectively. The female patients had blood sugar levels of 8.1mmol/L, 8.9mm 13.5 mmol/L, and 16.3 mmol/L, respectively. The males had blood sugar levels of 11.5 and 14 mmol/L, respectively. Four (4) of the patients recovered completely from involuntary movements following good glycaemic control and use of haloperidol or tetrabenazine. The fifth patient at 23 months of follow up still had mild symptoms. The 6th patient was lost to follow up. Thoughtful evaluation of every case of acute involuntary movements in the elderly may lead to early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus as well as deranged diabetic control particular in elderly patients. Key Words: Acute movement disorder (hemiballismus), presenting feature of hyperglycaemia Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol.4(1) 2004: 88-9