Fatigue and long duration of infection are associated with worsen motor and non‐motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease following Omicron COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) may influence the clinical course and symptoms of chronic neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), which can persist even after recovery from the infection. This longitudinal study aimed at exploring the impact of the COVID‐19 on motor and non‐motor symptoms and the related risk factors for exacerbation of PD symptoms.MethodsOne hundred and two PD patients underwent a first assessment between September 2022 and November 2022 (T0) before Omicron COVID‐19 pandemic. They were then contacted again and asked to complete the second assessment between December 2022 and February 2023 (T1) following Omicron infection. Movement Disorders Society Unified PD Rating Scale Part III, Non‐Motor Symptoms Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and quality of life were investigated.ResultsNinety‐five PD patients (93.1%) with COVID‐19 for the first time were mild cases. However, 55 patients (55.9%) experienced worsening motor symptoms of PD after recovering from the infectious symptoms. Preinfection FSS score (odds ratios [OR] 2.062, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.081–3.933, p = .028) and duration of infection (OR 1.232, 95% CI 1.024–1.481, p = .027) were independent risk factors for the worsening of motor symptoms. PD patients with post‐COVID‐19 fatigue were more likely to experience worsened non‐motor symptoms, resulting in an impaired quality of life.ConclusionThis study confirms the impact of the Omicron COVID‐19 pandemic on the motor and non‐motor symptoms of PD, suggesting that management of related factors, including fatigue and duration of infection, may be beneficial in preventing or dealing with the exacerbation of PD symptoms after infection.