Objective:
The objective of this study was to engage a diverse group of people with Parkinson disease (PwP) from East London and build a research platform for previously under-represented groups.

Background:
Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and the burden appears to be growing fastest in middle-low and low income countries. In the majority of observational studies of PD, White, well-educated and affluent participants are over-represented.

Method: We created a register of PwP from the Royal London Hospital which currently includes approximately 400 patients. In parallel, we have recruited participants to the East London Parkinson’s disease (ELPD) project; a case-control study of phenotype, genotype and biomarker characteristics. Clinical manifestations, UPDRS scores, data on non-motor symptoms, as well as biospecimens (buccal and skin swabs, serum samples) have been obtained.

Results:
145 patients and 80 controls have been recruited so far. The mean age of PwP was 67.81 (SD 10.4); 62% were male and 59% identified as being from South Asian or Black ethnicity. The most common presenting symptom was tremor (55.9%), followed by gait impairment (16.6%).

Conclusion:
The ELPD project is a platform study for under-represented patients with PD which provides important opportunities for collaboration and research to improve health inequalities.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-east-london-parkinson-disease-project-engaging-a-diverse-population-in-research/