Journal Article

Sex differences in non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease in a diverse East London population

Kamalesh, Dey, David, Gallagher, Alastair, Noyce, Ellen, Camboe, Caroline, Badu, Aaron, Ben-Joseph, Tahrina, Haque, Zara, Markovic-Obiago, Cristina, Simonet, Alexandra, Zirra

2023

Overview

BackgroundSex-related differences in non-motor Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms have been reported. However, many previous studies lack diversity and their results may not be generalisable.AimTo investigate sex-related non-motor symptom differences in PD patients in East London.Methods184 PD patients enrolled in the East London Parkinson’s disease project were included in this study. Assessments examined here were the Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (UPDRS), Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire, and REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder Screening Questionnaire.ResultsMale participants reported increased drooling (UPDRS 2.2 mean 1.0 vs 1.5, p=0.020), orthostatic hypotension (UPDRS 1.12 mean 1.1 vs 1.5, p=0.040), sexual problems (11% vs 43%, p<0.001), nocturia (65% vs 81%, p=0.024), daytime somnolence (14% vs 29%, p=0.029), and insomnia (48% vs 65%, p=0.034). Swollen legs were more common in female participants (53% vs 32%, p=0.007). No sex-differences in symptoms of RBD, pain, swallowing, or subjective hyposmia were observed.ConclusionWhile our data reflected some previously reported sex-differences in non-motor symptoms of PD, many differences were absent or, even sometimes, their sex-predominance was reversed. The dis- similarities seen in our patients demonstrate the importance of diverse recruitment to better understand sex-specific differences in PD.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd,BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subject: Association of British Neurologists: Annual Meeting Abstracts 2023 / Parkinson's disease / Questionnaires / REM sleep