Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Parkinson's Disease Using a Validated Arabic Version of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Scale: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) contribute to the morbidity of Parkinson's disease (PD), with limited specific assessment tools.

Objective: This multicenter study aimed to translate and validate the Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Scale for PD (GIDS-PD) into an Arabic version and to investigate the characteristics of GIS and its correlates.

Methods: A total of 162 patients with PD and 165 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were assessed using the GIDS-PD. Arabic version was assessed for test-retest reliability, construct validity, convert validity, and floor or ceiling effects. Patients were assessed also using the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Non-motor Symptoms Scale, and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39.

Results: The Arabic version of the GIDS-PD exhibited proper convergent validity, inter- and intrarater consistency, and an acceptable ceiling effect. Compared to controls, patients exhibited significantly higher frequency of all GIDS-PD items: difficulty in passing stools (86.42%), experiencing hard stools (65%), sensation of incomplete evacuation (75.93%), abdominal pain (69.14%), abnormal increase in passing stools (50.62%), abdominal distention (85.19%), involuntary weight loss (48.77%), difficulty in swallowing (64.81%), excessive salivation (68.52%), heartburn (82.10%), and nausea (43.83%). GISs were correlated to disease duration, motor and nonmotor severity, motor complications, and poorer quality of life (QoL). Predictors of the GIDS-PD included disease stage, motor severity, nonmotor burden, age, and dopaminergic daily dosage.

Conclusion: This multicenter study provided a validated Arabic version of GIDS-PD and demonstrated the high frequency of different GISs; their high correlation with motor severity, nonmotor burden, dopaminergic dosage, and age; and their negative impact on QoL, implying the importance of their assessment and management.