England Scale Research Articles

Tương quan giữa thang điểm MDS-UPDRS phần II và thang đo Schwab và England trong đánh giá hoạt động sống hàng ngày ở bệnh nhân bệnh Parkinson mới chẩn đoán

Background: Activities of daily living scales are often used to assess functional impairment in Parkinson’s patients, of which the Schwab & England scale is one of the most commonly used scales, while the MDS-UPDRS part II has been recently used.Objectives: To determine the correlation between two scales assessing activities of daily living in patients with Parkinson’s disease: the MDS - UPDRS part II and the Schwab & England scale.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease according to the criteria of the 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society at the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Clinic, University Medical Center HCMC from November 2022 to June 2023. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, MDS-UPDRS, and Schwab & England scale were collected from participating subjects. Data were analysed by using Rstudio-2023.06.01 and Epidata 4.6.0.6 software.Results: A total of 61 patients with Parkinson’s disease met the criteria. The activities of daily living ’s score based on the Schwab & England scale was 78.53 ± 10.93, ranging from 60% to 100%. All patients with no impact on activities of daily living and moderate impact based on the MDS - UPDRS part II scale had Schwab & England scores > 80% and < 80%, respectively. The MDS-UPDRS part II scale has a strong, negative correlation with the Schwab & England activities of daily living scale (r = -0.74, p < 0.001).Conclusions: The MDS-UPDRS part II scale has a strong, negative correlation with the Schwab & England activities of daily living scale.

Care of Late-Stage Parkinsonism: Resource Utilization of the Disease in Five European Countries.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive disability. Cost studies have mainly explored the early stages of the disease, whereas late-stage patients are underrepresented. The aim is to evaluate the resource utilization and costs of PD management in people with late-stage disease. The Care of Late-Stage Parkinsonism (CLaSP) study collected economic data from patients with late-stage PD and their caregivers in five European countries (France, Germany, the Netherlands, UK, Sweden) in a range of different settings. Patients were eligible to be included if they were in Hoehn and Yahr stage >3 in the on state or Schwab and England stage at 50% or less. In total, 592 patients met the inclusion criteria and provided information on their resource utilization. Costs were calculated from a societal perspective for a 3-month period. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator approach was utilized to identify the most influential independent variables for explaining and predicting costs. During the 3-month period, the costs were €20,573 (France), €19,959 (Germany), €18,319 (the Netherlands), €25,649 (Sweden), and €12,156 (UK). The main contributors across sites were formal care, hospitalization, and informal care. Gender, age, duration of the disease, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale 2, the EQ-5D-3L, and the Schwab and England Scale were identified as predictors of costs. Costs in this cohort of individuals with late-stage PD were substantially higher compared to previously published data on individuals living in earlier stages of the disease. Resource utilization in the individual sites differed in part considerably among these three parameters mentioned. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Impact of Parkinsonism comorbid depression on cognitive functions

BackgroundParkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disabling disease and involves about 1–3% of the worldwide population over the age of 60. A significant prevalence of psychopathological symptoms has been recorded as most patients with PD developed over their disease course neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, psychosis, and cognitive and behavioral abnormalities. These non-motor symptoms, which could appear decades before motor ones, become disturbing symptoms during the later phases of the disease. Hence, the current research aims to study depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients. Thirty-six patients with Parkinson’s disease aged from 40 to 65 years (20 males and 16 females) and 36 age and sex-matched controls (19 males and 17 females) were included in the study. Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr scale, Schwab and England’s scale, Mini-Mental State Examination, Cognitive Ability Screening Instrument, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were applied to assess depression in both groups.ResultsPatients were 20 males and 16 females (mean age 52.44 ± 7.45), mean duration of Parkinsonism was 3.88 years. The mean value for Hoehn and Yahr scale was 1.97 ± 1.42, for UPDRS T was 42.41 ± 20.91 and Schwab England's scale was 74.77 ± 17.78. Concerning cognition, MMSE was significantly lower among patients 25.33 ± 3.63, than in the control group and CAS total was significantly lower in patients (16 ± 71.35) than in the control group 9.81 ± 84.62.ConclusionDepressive symptoms are widespread in Parkinson's disease. Depression should be strictly determined and addressed, particularly in patients with more advanced cognitive impairment who are at a higher risk of developing or worsening depression.

Motor and process skills of people with parkinson's disease compared to healthy older adults. A cross-sectional study.

Both Parkinson's disease (PD) and the process of ageing are associated with functional limitations. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in motor and process skills between individuals with PD and healthy older adults, as well as to observe how disease progression affects motor and process skills performance in PD patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) measure was employed in order to analyze the differences in the motor and process skills of daily tasks in people with PD and healthy older adults age- and sex-matched. Part III of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) scale and the Schwab & England scale was administered to determine the severity of the disease. Seventy participants (49 patients with PD and 21 healthy older adults) were recruited for this study. Our results showed that even at moderate stages of the disease, both motor and process skills were found deteriorated in PD patients more than older healthy older adults (p < 0.001). As PD progresses, motor and process skills present significantly deterioration. PD leads to a greater deterioration in motor and process skills compared to healthy older adults. As disease stages advance according to the HY scale, performance in motor and process skills deteriorates significantly between moderate and advanced PD stages. According to the AMPS scale, PD patients show no impairment of processing skills up to HY IV, but motor impairment at HY stages II, III and IV.

The 'Pants-Sign': A Predictor for Falling inPeople with Parkinson's Disease?

A history of falls is the most established predictor of future falls in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, predicting a first fall remains challenging. To assess whether experiencing difficulties putting on pants while standing is a viable predictor of future falling, and specifically a first fall, in persons with PD. We define this 'Pants-sign' as people who resort to putting on their pants only while seated. 264 persons with PD were included. Information on the Pants-sign, history of falls, disease severity (MDS-UPDRS part III), freezing of gait (N-FOGQ > 0), cognitive function (MoCA), self-reported disability (Schwab & England scale), health-related quality of life (SF-12), Timed-Up-and-Go, and one-legged stance were determined at baseline and after one-year follow-up. The association between the Pants-sign and future falling was examined by univariate logistic regression analysis. A multivariate step-wise logistic regression with forward selection was employed to identify the strongest associations in the entire cohort and a sub-cohort of people without falls in the year prior to baseline. The Pants-sign was univariably associated with a future fall (OR = 2.406, 95% CI [1.313-4.409], p = 0.004]), but was not an independent predictor in the multivariate logistic regression; predictors were higher MDS-UPDRS part III scores (OR = 1.088, 95% CI [1.056-1.121], p < 0.001] and history of falls (OR = 5.696, 95% CI [2.650-12.243], p≤0.001]. For the sub-cohort of people without falls in the previous year (n = 189), the Pants-sign was not associated with future falls. The Pants-sign is simple to assess and is associated with future falling in PD but is not an independent predictor.

Effectiveness of the Combination of Probiotic Supplementation on Motor Symptoms and Constipation in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) reflects the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Besides the motor features, non-motor symptoms, such as constipation, are very common. There is accumulating evidence that neuroinflammation is associated with the PD pathological processes. Alterations of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites have been linked to the pathogenesis of PD. Previous research has shown that probiotic supplementation has beneficial effects on motor and non-motor symptoms and especially on constipation. In this study, we examine the effectiveness of a combination of probiotic supplementation (butyrate triglyceride 302.86 mg, Crocus sativus L. 30 mg, and vitamin D3 100 mcg), on constipation and motor symptoms in PD. The present study is a retrospective study that examined the existing medical records of patients with diagnosed PD, having chronic constipation and used the probiotic supplementation for its management. A total of 41 existing medical records were screened. Medical records were excluded in the case of participation in another study for PD, suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, organic constipation, long-term laxative use changes in the standard dopaminergic treatment, Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score<24, hospitalization and antibiotic medication, and diarrheal syndrome. Nine medical records were excluded, and a final number of 32 medical records was finally examined. All 32 patients had evaluations carried out at baseline and three months after supplement administration. A stool diary questionnaire, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III (UPDRS III), and the Schwab and England and the Hoehn and Yahr scales were used for the evaluation. The median defecation frequency was significantly improved. The supplementation administration significantly improved UPDRS IIIby 7.7% (from 35.72±15.51 to 32.97±15.71, p = 0.005) at month three, as compared to baseline.A positive effect was also seen in the Schwab and England scale. There was no effect on the Hoehn and Yahr scale. The enteric microbiome composition is altered in PD, and there is accumulating evidence that probiotic supplementation could alleviate disease symptoms in neuroinflammatory disorders.

Gender may be related to the side of the motor syndrome and cognition in idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Backgroundand Sex and cognitive profile may be related to the laterality of motor symptoms in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. IntroductionParkinson's disease (PD) is well recognised as an inherently asymmetric disease with unilateral onset of motor symptoms. The laterality of motor symptoms may be linked to sex, clinical and demographic variables, and neuropsychological disorders. However, the available data are inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the potential association between the laterality of motor symptoms and clinical and demographic variables and deficits in specific cognitive domains. Material and methodsWe retrospectively recruited 97 participants with idiopathic PD without dementia; 60 presented motor symptoms on the left side and 37 on the right side. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, age at disease onset, disease duration, and severity of the neurological deficits according to the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Hoehn and Yahr scale. ResultsParticipants with left-side motor symptoms scored lower on the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living scale. Our sample included more men than women (67% vs. 33%). Both sexes were not equally represented in the 2 groups: there were significantly more men than women in the group of patients with left-side motor symptoms (77% vs. 23%), whereas the percentages of men and women in the group of patients with right-side motor symptoms were similar (51% vs. 49%). Both groups performed similarly in all neuropsychological tasks, but women, independently of laterality, performed better than men in the naming task. ConclusionWe found a clear prevalence of men in the group of patients with left-side motor symptoms; this group also scored lower on the Schwab and England Scale. Female sex was predictive of better performance in the naming task. Sex should always be considered in disorders that cause asymmetric involvement of the brain, such as PD.

Analysis of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) in patients with monogenic PRKN and LRRK2 forms of Parkinson's disease

IntroductionDeep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is the most common surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). Patient selection and genetic background can modify the response to this treatment. The objective of this study was to compare both clinical and pharmacologic response of STN-DBS between patients with monogenic forms of PD and non-mutation carriers with idiopathic PD. MethodsA retrospective analysis among 23 carriers of genetic mutations (8 PRKN and 15 LRRK2) and 74 patients with idiopathic PD was performed. The study included comparisons of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) II and III scores, Schwab and England (S&E) scale values, Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage scores, and equivalent doses of levodopa before and after the surgery (at 6 and 12 months) between both groups. ResultsThe mean age at the time in which STN-DBS was performed was 59.5 ± 8.6. Linear mixed models showed the absence of statistically significant differences between mutation and non-mutation carriers regarding levodopa doses (p = 0.576), UPDRS II (p = 0.956) and III (p = 0.512) scores, and S&E scale scores (0.758). The only difference between the two groups was observed with respect to H&Y stage in OFF medication/ON stimulation status being lower in genetic PD at 6 months after surgery (p = 0.030). ConclusionClinical and pharmacological benefit of bilateral STN-DBS is similar in PRKN and LRRK2 mutation carriers and patients with idiopathic PD.

Associação entre a capacidade funcional, transtorno do sono e nível de atividade física em indivíduos com doença de Parkinson durante o período de pandemia de covid-19: um estudo transversal

Abstract Objective To assess the level of exercise of older people with Parkinson's disease (PD), taking into account sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the following data: level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version - short IPAQ), sleep disorders, cognitive complaints, duration of illness, degree of dependence to perform basic daily activities through Schwab &amp; England (S&amp;E) scale of older individuals with PD treated at a tertiary health service during the covid-19 pandemic. Poisson regression, Mann-Whitney U test and Student's t test were used for statistical analysis. Results The prevalence ratio of being active increased by 1.04 (95% CI 1.01 - 1.08) for every 10 points of elevation on the S&amp;E scale, whereas those who did not report sleep difficulties had a prevalence ratio of 1.17 (95% CI 1.02-1.34) times greater to be active. Inactive individuals with PD were older and had longer disease duration. Conclusion Emphasis should be given to the functional capacity and sleep of individuals with PD for the adequate management of the PA level in periods of social restriction.

Evaluation of the effect of low-intensity rhythmic transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor and non-motor manifestations of Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND: The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as a method of non-drug therapy of Parkinson's disease has been actively studied over the past decades. The prevailing number of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols in Parkinson's disease use a high intensity of stimulation (80120% of the value of the threshold of the evoked motor threshold from the muscles of the hand), while the choice of the stimulation intensity parameter was carried out empirically.&#x0D; AIM: to study the effectiveness of low-intensity unilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.&#x0D; MATERIAL AND METHODS:An open prospective non-randomized clinical trial included 37 patients with stage IIII Parkinson's disease according to HoehnYahr (1967), akinetic-rigid and mixed (akinetic-rigid-tremor) forms. All patients underwent repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation according to the protocol: M1 stimulation zone, frequency 5 Hz, intensity 40% of the cortical motor threshold, on 6s, off 8s, total number of pulses per session 3000. The course of treatment is 10 procedures with 2 days (weekend) off.&#x0D; RESULTS: All patients completed the study in accordance with the protocol. When analyzing the results of the UPDRS scale (Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale), positive dynamics was noted in all parts of the questionnaire: part I ― from 2 (0; 3) to 0 (0; 1) points, p 0.05; part II ― from 9 (5.5; 12.5) to 4 (2; 6.5) points, p 0.05; part III ― with 11 (7; 14.5) to 6 (2; 7.5) points, p 0.05; part IV (Schwab and England scale) ― from 80% (70; 95) to 90% (85; 100), p 0.05. There was also a selective effect on non-motor symptoms.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Low-intensity exposure (40% of the motor threshold) has a significant clinical effect on motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease; stimulation of the primary motor cortex can have an antidepressant effect; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has a selective effect on non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease: a predominant effect has been demonstrated with respect to olfactory, emotional, cognitive disorders, sleep disorders and hypersalivation; when assessing the dynamics of motor disorders, a more pronounced effect was noted with respect to rigidity, postural disorders, walking speed, and to a lesser extent, the effect on tremor was noted.

High frequency of Depressive Disorders and Suicidal Phenomena in Late-Stage Parkinson´s Disease - A Cross-Sectional Study.

Depressive disorders (DD) are widely recognized as one of the most frequent neuropsychiatric disorders in Parkinson´s disease. Patients with late-stage Parkinson´s disease (LSPD) continue to be a neglected population, and little is known about DD frequency in LSPD. To determine the frequency of DD in LSPD patients through a clinical diagnostic interview (CDI) and according to diagnostic DSM- 5 criteria. Secondary objectives were to determine the predictive ability of depressive scales to detect DD, to identify potential predictors of DD in LSPD and, to evaluate suicidal phenomena in LSPD. A cross-sectional study including LSPD patients (≥7years from symptom onset and Hoehn and Yahr scale score >3 or a Schwab and England scale score <50% in the ON condition) was conducted. Patients were subjected to psychiatric, neurological, and neuropsychological evaluations. Six depression scales were applied. 92 LSPD patients were included. 59.78% of LSPD patients had a current diagnosis of DD according to CDI, 38.04% patients had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, and 21.72% non-major depressive disorder. Suicidal ideation was present in 36.96% of patients. All applied scales were able to detect depressive disorders. More than half of LSPD patients met DD diagnostic criteria and over one-third were diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Overall, the LSPD population seem to have a unique clinical phenotype regarding the frequency and features of DD, whose early identification and treatment could improve the quality of life of patients and caregivers.

A 6-month longitudinal study on worsening of Parkinson’s disease during the COVID-19 pandemic

Further studies are required to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression. This study investigated the motor and non-motor progression of people with PD (PWP) at 6 months during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with that during the pre-pandemic period. Patients were recruited from Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, in the period between April 2019 and December 2020. Fifty patients were included, of whom 17 and 33 patients were followed for 6 months before and during the pandemic, respectively. All patients were assessed at baseline and at 6 months using the MDS-UPDRS, Schwab and England scale (S&E), Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y), Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), International Physical Activity Questionnaire, New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire, Non-Motor Symptoms Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Both groups were matched in age, gender, and disease characteristics. Patients followed during the pandemic showed more significant worsening of the total, part I and motor part of MDS-UPDRS, and balance scores (p < 0.001) than those followed during the pre-COVID-19 period. Gait (TUG), balance, and physical activity worsening were significantly correlated with baseline BDI, gait and balance scores, total and part I MDS-UPDRS scores, H&Y, and S&E OFF scores. Gait deterioration (TUG) was correlated with baseline physical activity (r = −0.510, p = 0.002). PWP showed worsening of motor and non-motor symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic at the 6-month follow-up. Worsening of gait, balance, and physical activity was correlated with baseline motor and physical activity OFF scores.

The Outdoor Renaissance: Assessing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic upon Outdoor Recreation Visitation, Behaviors, and Decision-Making in New England’s National Forests

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed outdoor recreation. As a result of the pandemic, parks and protected areas around the world have witnessed dramatic increases in recreation visitation. While various studies have examined this premise, this is one of the first to examine the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic upon recreation visitation across an entire parks and protected areas system in New England, utilizing both spatial and temporal scales. Study findings provide empirical evidence to inform future research and theory related to the social-ecological systems and recreation opportunity spectrum frameworks. A unique combination of primary, secondary, and geospatial data was used to explore recreation visitors’ decision-making, behaviors, and visitation trends during the pandemic. Inferential and regression analyses suggest overall recreation visitation increased by ∼61% (2+ million additional site visits) during the summer of 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Moreover, significant changes in visitation, site, and geo-spatial characteristics were observed for both in-state and out-of-state visitors during the pandemic. This research validates the influence of the pandemic upon parks and protected areas in the United States.

Quality of life and resource utilization-Swedish data from the Care of Late-Stage Parkinsonism (CLaSP) study.

Few studies have investigated the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), resource use and costs in patients with late-stage Parkinson's disease (PD), and data from the Swedish setting are scarce. First, we analyse the HRQoL in late-stage PD in Sweden. Second, we analyse the resource use and costs per severity level. Third, we analyse the relationship between costs and physician- and patient reported-outcome measures. The study was based on Swedish data from the Care of Late-Stage Parkinsonism (CLaSP) study. The costs of healthcare contacts, drugs, formal and informal care, and productivity loss were collected over three months. Assessments at baseline were used for outcomes (EQ-5D, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y), Schwab and England Scale, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale subscales (UPDRS) and Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS)). Costs were estimated in € 2016. In total, 106 patients were included. The mean EQ-5D score in the total group was 0.24 (±0.33). The mean total cost excluding informal care per patient in the three-month period was approximately €14,097 (BCa 95% CI €12,007 and €16,039). Professional care accounted for the largest share (75 percent) of the total costs. The EQ-5D, H&Y, Schwab and England Scale, and NMSS were statistically significant predicting factors for total costs. Patients with late-stage PD are a vulnerable patient group that is costly to society and the impairment in patients' HRQoL is immense. Thus, healthcare decision-makers should optimize the organization and provision of healthcare for these patients.

The coin rotation test: a reliable and valid test in people with Parkinson's disease

Purpose To investigate: (1) the interrater, and test–retest reliability of the coin rotation test (CRT) in people with Parkinson's Disease (PwPD); (2) the minimum detectable change in the CRT; (3) the concurrent and known-groups validity of the CRT; and (4) the cut-off times that best discriminate PwPD from healthy people and functionally dependent PwPD from functionally independent PwPD. Method Forty-eight PwPD and 33 healthy people were included. The CRT was administered with the nine-hole peg test, Movement Disorders Society Sponsored Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn and Yahr Scale, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8, and Schwab and England Scale. Results The CRT had excellent interrater and test–retest reliability. Minimal detectable changes were 5.96 and 8.23 s for the dominant and non-dominant hand, respectively. The CRT correlated with other outcome measures. Significant differences in the CRT times were found between PwPD and healthy people, and between functionally dependent PwPD and functionally independent PwPD. The cut-off times of 12.66 s on the dominant hand and 15.76 s on the non-dominant best discriminated PwPD from healthy people, while 22.99 s on the dominant hand and 23.48 s on the non-dominant best discriminated functionally dependent PwPD from functionally independent PwPD. Conclusions The CRT is a reliable, and clinically available tool for assessing manual dexterity in PwPD. Implications for rehabilitation The coin rotation test is a reliable, valid, and clinically available tool for assessing manual dexterity in Parkinson's Disease. The minimal detectable changes of the coin rotation test are 5.96 s for dominant hand and 8.23 s for the non-dominant hand, which may useful for clinicians and researchers to detect in any true change in manual dexterity after any intervention. The coin rotation test correlated with Parkinson's Disease-specific measurement tools. The coin rotation test times may detect impaired manual dexterity between people with Parkinson's Disease and healthy people, and between functionally dependent and functionally independent in Parkinson's Disease population.

Is Being Physically Active Enough or Do People with Parkinson's Disease Need Structured Supervised Exercise? Lessons Learned from COVID-19.

Social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted people’s lifestyles and daily activities. In this work we compared pre- and post-pandemic clinical outcomes in people with Parkinson’s disease, to assess differences according to the type of behaviour and exercise habits adopted by participants. After two months of COVID-19 lockdown, we assessed: changes in exercise behaviour; motor and non-motor aspects of daily life experiences (MDS-UPDRS I & II); activities of daily living (The Schwab & England scale); quality of life (Parkinson Disease Questionnaire); sleep (Parkinson Disease Sleep Scale); falls; and Clinical Global Impression Change. Twenty-seven individuals aged between 57 and 92 years old participated; from these, ten individuals (37%) completely interrupted physical activities, while seventeen (63%) maintained some level of active lifestyle. Regardless of whether they remained active or not, all participants perceived a significant worsening of their clinical condition, reporting an increase in difficulties completing daily activities or chores (37%) and worsening of their health condition (51.8%). The quantifiable influence of exercise habits was borderline for the group who kept active. The active group seem to have a better self-perception of their health condition, although it was not enough to show a clear benefit. People with Parkinson’s disease should be informed that being physically active may not be enough and more structured exercise could be needed.

LIPAD (LRRK2/Luebeck International Parkinson's Disease) Study Protocol: Deep Phenotyping of an International Genetic Cohort.

Background: Pathogenic variants in the Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most common known monogenic cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). LRRK2-linked PD is clinically indistinguishable from idiopathic PD and inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity that differ across ethnicities and geographic regions.Objective: To systematically assess clinical signs and symptoms including non-motor features, comorbidities, medication and environmental factors in PD patients, unaffected LRRK2 pathogenic variant carriers, and controls. A further focus is to enable the investigation of modifiers of penetrance and expressivity of LRRK2 pathogenic variants using genetic and environmental data.Methods: Eligible participants are invited for a personal or online examination which comprises completion of a detailed eCRF and collection of blood samples (to obtain DNA, RNA, serum/plasma, immune cells), urine as well as household dust. We plan to enroll 1,000 participants internationally: 300 with LRRK2-linked PD, 200 with LRRK2 pathogenic variants but without PD, 100 PD patients with pathogenic variants in the GBA or PRKN genes, 200 patients with idiopathic PD, and 200 healthy persons without pathogenic variants.Results: The eCRF consists of an investigator-rated (1 h) and a self-rated (1.5 h) part. The first part includes the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating, Hoehn &Yahr, and Schwab & England Scales, the Brief Smell Identification Test, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The self-rating part consists of a PD risk factor, food frequency, autonomic dysfunction, and quality of life questionnaires, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, and the Epworth Sleepiness as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales. The first 15 centers have been initiated and the first 150 participants enrolled (as of March 25th, 2021).Conclusions: LIPAD is a large-scale international scientific effort focusing on deep phenotyping of LRRK2-linked PD and healthy pathogenic variant carriers, including the comparison with additional relatively frequent genetic forms of PD, with a future perspective to identify genetic and environmental modifiers of penetrance and expressivityClinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04214509.

Unmet needs of people with Parkinson's disease

Aim: The study aimed to identify individual health and social care needs and unmet needs in patients with Parkinson&#8217;s disease as well as factors related to them. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: The sample comprised 183 Parkinson&#8217;s disease patients cared for in four outpatient neurology centers in the Moravian-Silesian Region, Czech Republic. Their functional status was assessed with the Hoehn and Yahr Scale, Barthel Index and Schwab and England Scale; their needs for care were evaluated using the Needs and Provision Complexity Scale. The study was carried out from May to December 2019. Results: The highest proportions of unmet needs were identified in rehabilitation, related to both frequency (87%) and intensity (85%), followed by family support (53%), residential respite care (41%), skilled nursing care (36%) and equipment (35%). Unmet needs were associated with greater dependence with regard to activities of daily living, poorer functional status and longer disease duration. Conclusion: Understanding factors that determine the type of unmet needs of Parkinson&#8217;s disease patients is crucial for provision of adequate multidisciplinary care. Based on identification of unmet health and social care and support needs, nurses may provide targeted interventions aimed to fulfill the unmet needs and improve the quality of life of patients.

Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Late-Stage Parkinson's Disease.

There is limited knowledge on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in late-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). To assess factors associated with HRQoL in patients with late-stage PD, with a focus on health care provision. The Care of Late Stage Parkinsonism (CLaSP) project is the largest study on late-stage PD to date. The current study analyzed data of 401 patients from 6 European countries in whom HRQoL was assessed with the 8-item PD Questionnaire in patients without dementia. Factors potentially associated with HRQoL were assessed and examined in linear regression analyses. Better HRQoL was associated with living at home, greater independence in activities of daily living (Schwab and England Scale), less severe disease (Hoehn and Yahr stage), better motor function (Unified PD Rating Scale Part III), and lower non-motor symptoms burden (Non-Motor Symptoms Scale [NMSS]) across all NMSS domains. Having a PDspecialist as physician for PD, contact with a PDnurse, and no hospital admission during the past 3 months were associated with better HRQoL, but having seen a physiotherapist or occupational therapist was associated with worse HRQoL. The results emphasize the importance of optimizing treatment for motor and multiple non-motor symptoms to improve HRQoL in patients with late-stage PD. PD-specific health care resources, particularly PDnurses, are likely important in addressing issues to improve HRQoL in this population. Worse HRQoL in those who had recently seen a physiotherapist or occupational therapist may reflect referral based on factors not measured in this study.

Gender may be related to the side of the motor syndrome and cognition in idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Backgroundand Sex and cognitive profile may be related to the laterality of motor symptoms in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. IntroductionParkinson's disease (PD) is well recognised as an inherently asymmetric disease with unilateral onset of motor symptoms. The laterality of motor symptoms may be linked to sex, clinical and demographic variables, and neuropsychological disorders. However, the available data are inconsistent. This study aimed to explore the potential association between the laterality of motor symptoms and clinical and demographic variables and deficits in specific cognitive domains. Material and methodsWe retrospectively recruited 97 participants with idiopathic PD without dementia; 60 presented motor symptoms on the left side and 37 on the right side. Both groups were comparable in terms of age, age at disease onset, disease duration, and severity of the neurological deficits according to the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Hoehn and Yahr scale. ResultsParticipants with left-side motor symptoms scored lower on the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living scale. Our sample included more men than women (67% vs. 33%). Both sexes were not equally represented in the 2 groups: there were significantly more men than women in the group of patients with left-side motor symptoms (77% vs. 23%), whereas the percentages of men and women in the group of patients with right-side motor symptoms were similar (51% vs. 49%). Both groups performed similarly in all neuropsychological tasks, but women, independently of laterality, performed better than men in the naming task. ConclusionWe found a clear prevalence of men in the group of patients with left-side motor symptoms; this group also scored lower on the Schwab and England Scale. Female sex was predictive of better performance in the naming task. Sex should always be considered in disorders that cause asymmetric involvement of the brain, such as PD.