Pattern of Non Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease: A Prospective Observational Study From a Tertiary Care Centre, Bihar, India

Abstract

Introduction: Non motor symptoms are highly prevalent in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) but are often overshadowed by the dominance of motor symptoms. Aim: To assess non motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients of PD fulfilling United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank (UKPDSBB) criteria were recruited, between August 2019 to July 2021, in the Neurology Department of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India. The pattern of Non Motor Symptoms (NMS) in PD was studied using detailed questionnaire and association of NMS with age, gender and modified Hoehn and Yahr stage were assessed. Chi-square test and Student's t-test was calculated where required. Results: Total 102 patients were included, with male constituting 73.5% patients. The mean age was 60.14±13.55 years. Constipation (74, 72.55%) was the most common non motor symptom. Most of the patients belonged to mild stage (52.94%) followed by moderate (40.20%) and severe (6.86%) stages, according to modified Hoehn and Yahr classification. Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (n=15) and sexual dysfunction (n=28) were significantly more prevalent in male patients. Depression, REM sleep behaviour disorder, olfactory disturbance, visual disturbance, urinary urgency, sweating abnormality, constipation, vomiting and visual blurring were significantly common in patients with earlier disease stages while psychosis in patients with advanced stage. Conclusion: This study showed the high prevalence of non motor symptoms in PD patient which is consistent with other studies, but there are differences in the frequency of individual symptoms which may relate to cultural and geographic differences.