Demographic and Clinical Profile of South Asian vs. non-South Asian Patients with Parkinson’s disease (P6-11.003)

Abstract

<h3>Objective:</h3> To determine differences in demographic and clinical profile of South Asian vs. non-South Asian patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS). <h3>Background:</h3> The majority of knowledge of PD has been gleaned from the discoveries made in familial and/or sporadic forms of PD in the Caucasian population. The transferability and the clinical utility of such biochemical and genetic discoveries to other ethnically diverse populations are unknown, with the South Asian population being underrepresented in PD research. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> We performed a retrospective review of South Asian vs. non-South Asian PD patients undergoing STN-DBS between 2017–2022. Demographic data and clinical data were obtained. Pre-operative OFF/ON evaluation (dopamine challenge), neuropsychological testing scores (Dementia Rating Scale-2), motor and non-motor complaints were compared between the two groups using a Student’s T-test or chi-squared test as appropriate. <h3>Results:</h3> We compared data from 9 South Asian and 21 non-South Asian PD patients. Demographic characteristics were not different between the two groups. Alcohol use was less common in the South Asian population with a trend towards significance (88% never used vs. 57%, respectively, p = 0.09). At the pre-DBS evaluation, there was no difference in percent change in Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores comparing OFF and ON evaluations, nor differences in DRS-2 scores. About 86% of non-South Asian patients complained of tremor pre-DBS, compared with only 44% in the South Asian group (p = 0.02). REM Behavior Disorder (RBD) was also less commonly reported in the South Asian vs. non-South Asian group (0% vs. 43%, respectively, p = 0.02). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> In this pilot study, we found differences in the clinical profile of South Asian vs. non-South Asian PD patients. Larger studies are needed to further examine these differences in the South Asian population which may lead to improved care and treatment in this group of patients. <b>Disclosure:</b> Mr. Srinivasan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hargreaves has nothing to disclose. Ms. Caputo has nothing to disclose. Jasdeep Hundal has received research support from Rutgers University CAHBIR/BHI. Jasdeep Hundal has received research support from Horizon BCBS. Jasdeep Hundal has received research support from National Cancer Institute (NCI). Jasdeep Hundal has received research support from National Institute of Health/NIA. Dr. Danish has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for medtronic. Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pal has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Guidepoint. Dr. Pal has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Kyowa Kirin. Dr. Pal has stock in Baudax Bio. The institution of Dr. Pal has received research support from National Institutes of Health. The institution of Dr. Pal has received research support from Parkinson’s Foundation.