Sex differences in motor function in Parkinson’s disease in a diverse East London population

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 94; no. Suppl 1; p. A63
• Main Authors: Zara, Markovic-Obiago, Ellen, Camboe, Alexandra, Zirra, Tahrina, Haque, Kamalesh, Dey, Aaron, Ben-Joseph, David, Gallagher, Caroline, Badu, Cristina, Simonet, Alastair, Noyce
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 28.11.2023; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Association of British Neurologists: Annual Meeting Abstracts 2023; Males; Parkinson's disease
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/JNNP-2023-ABN.195

BackgroundMultiple studies have explored sex-differences in motor aspects of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, many previous studies lack diversity and their results may not be generalisable.AimTo investigate sex-related differences in motor function in PD patients in East London.Methods184 PD patients enrolled in the East London Parkinson’s disease project were included in this study. In the present analysis, the primary assessment examined here was the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).Results38% of the participants were female. Overall motor burden was higher in male participants on the UPDRS II (mean total 5.4 vs 6.9, p=0.02), but not on the UPDRS III (mean total 37.4 in females vs 39.9 in males, p=0.47). Male participants showed increased speech difficulties (UPDRS 3.1 mean 0.84 vs 1.29, p=0.005) and rigidity (UPDRS 3.3 mean 6.74 vs 8.2, p=0.018). Total levodopa equivalent dose (mean 545.5mg females vs 673.7mg males, p= 0.148) and the prevalence of dyskinesia (females 23% vs males 19%, p=0.52) were comparable.ConclusionWhile our data reflected some previously reported sex-differences in motor symptoms, many differences were absent. Possible reasons include lack of statistical power or differences in the sex-specific manifestation of PD in this diverse population.