Multidimensional Factors Can Explain the Clinical Worsening in People With Parkinson's Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Trial

• Main Author: Silva-Batista C.
• Publication Date: 2021
• Other Authors: Coelho D.B., Junior R.C.F., Almeida L.R., Nobrega K.C.C., Machado Sanchez H., Guimaraes, Adriana Coutinho De Azevedo, Lindquist A.R.R., Israel V.L., Kanegusuku H., Guimaraes R., Beckmann Bosaipo N., Barbosa R., Correa C.L., Finatto M.J., Mendes F.A.D.S., Piemonte M.E.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da Udesc
• dARK ID: ark:/33523/001300000s5nc
• Download full: https://repositorio.udesc.br/handle/UDESC/3687

© Copyright © 2021 Silva-Batista, Coelho, Júnior, Almeida, Guimarães, Nóbrega, Machado Sanchez, Lindquist, Israel, Kanegusuku, Guimarães, Beckmann Bosaipo, Barbosa, Correa, Finatto, Mendes and Piemonte.Background: Self-reported clinical worsening by people with Parkinson's disease (PD) during social distancing may be aggravated in Brazil, where the e/tele-health system is precarious. Objectives: This study aims to investigate self-reported changes in motor and non-motor aspects during social distancing in people with PD living in Brazil and to investigate the factors that might explain these changes. Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional trial, 478 people with a diagnosis of idiopathic PD (mean age = 67, SD = 9.5; 167 female) were recruited from 14 centers distributed throughout the five geographical regions of Brazil. The evaluators from each center applied a questionnaire by telephone, which included questions (previous and current period of social distancing) about the motor and non-motor experiences of daily living, quality of life, daily routine, and physical activity volume. Results: Self-reported clinical worsening in non-motor and motor aspects of daily life experiences (Movement Disorder Society-Unified PD Rating Scale—parts IB and II—emotional and mental health, and fear of falling) and in the quality of life was observed. Only 31% of the participants reported a guided home-based physical activity with distance supervision. Perceived changes in the quality of life, freezing of gait, decreased physical activity volume, daily routine, and fear of falling explained the self-reported clinical worsening (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Self-reported clinical worsening in people with PD living in Brazil during social distancing can also be aggravated by the precarious e/tele-health system, as perception of decreased physical activity volume and impoverishment in daily routine were some of the explanatory factors. Considering the multifaceted worsening, the implementation of a remote multi-professional support for these people is urgent.