Change in Non-motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor Patients: A One-year Follow-up Study

Abstract

Background: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) differ from those in essential tremor (ET), even before a definitive diagnosis is made. It is not clear whether patient's knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment influence their subsequent reporting of NMS.Methods: 1 year after a clinical and instrumental diagnosis, we compared the motor impairment (Movement Disorders Society (MDS)-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III) and non-motor symptoms (NMSQuest) in PD (n531) and ET (n521) patients.Results: PD patients reported more NMS than did the ET patients (p50.002). When compared to their baseline report, at follow-up, PD patients reported less nocturia (p50.02), sadness (p50.01), insomnia (p50.02), and restless legs (p50.04) and more nausea (p50.024), unexplained pain (p50.03), weight change (p50.009), and daytime sleepiness (p50.03). When compared to their baseline report, ET patients reported less loss of interest (p50.03), anxiety (p50.006), and insomnia (p50.02). Differences in reported weight change (p,0.0001) and anxiety (p50.001) between PD and ET patients were related to pharmacological side effects or to a reduction in the ET individuals.Discussion: The reporting of NMS is influenced by subjective factors, and might vary with the patient's knowledge of the diagnosis or the effectiveness of treatment.

Motor and Non-motor Features: Differences between Patients with Isolated Essential Tremor and Patients with Both Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease

“…Few previous studies have explored the clinical features of this combination. These studies have indicated the possible presence of several differences in MFs 2 – 4 , 8 , 11 and NMFs 12 , 13 between patients with isolated ET and their ET→PD counterparts.…”

Patient-reported Needs, Non-motor Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease

“…Research focused on NMS among individuals with ET is just emerging, but recent studies suggest some important differences between those with PD and those with ET in the frequency and type of NMS reported. 10,11 Despite the prevalence of these disorders and growing awareness of the impact of NMS on QOL, little is known about patient-reported needs and barriers to care of individuals with MDs. While patient needs related to the motor and non-motor symptoms of MDs are…”

Patient-Reported Needs, Non-Motor Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease

“…Research focused on NMS among individuals with ET is just emerging, but recent studies suggest some important differences between those with PD and those with ET in the frequency and type of NMS reported. 10 , 11 …”