Living with Parkinson's disease in Portugal: Findings from PRISM study

Background

Parkinson's disease (PD) ranks second in global neurodegenerative disorders. The “Parkinson's Real-world Impact assesSMent (PRISM)” study addressed the disease burden and treatment of European PD patients. Yet, the burden on Portuguese PD patients remains unexplored. Here, we outline the demographics, clinical features, and impact of PD in the Portuguese PRISM cohort.

Methods

Descriptive analysis of the PRISM Portuguese cohort (80 patients) was performed, emphasizing socio-demographic data, anti-PD medication usage, PD impact on patients' lives and healthcare resources utilization.

Results

The predominant comorbidities in the Portuguese PD cohort (55 % male; mean age 66.2 years; mean disease duration 8.8 years) included depression (26.3 %) and anxiety (26.3 %). Levodopa was the initial prescribed anti-PD medication for 88 % of patients. Among Portuguese PDP, dopamine agonists (DA), monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors, and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors were used by 50 %, 44.4 %, and 18.3 %, respectively. Portuguese PDP experienced impaired quality of life (PDQ-39 score: 31.3 ± 16.8), various non-motor symptoms, namely sadness/blues (65.4 %), urinary urgency (63.5 %), high/low sex interest (57.7 %), while 56 % reported at least one impulse control behavior. Additionally, 30.8 % retired early due to PD and 31.8 % reduced hours in daily activities. Mental health appointments were attended by 31 %, primarily in psychiatry (19 %) and psychology (6 %), and psychotherapy.

Conclusion

This study uncovers the burden of PD among Portuguese patients, revealing current treatment methods, impact on daily life and healthcare resources employed in Portugal. It emphasizes the need for personalized clinical strategies at national and international levels to improve long-term health outcomes and quality of life of PD patients.