Objective: Our aim was to see a frequency of non-motor symptoms (NMS) in dystonia patients and influence on quality of life (QoL).

Background: Non-motor problems in dystonia patients are often neglected and untreated

Method: We conducted investigation with anamnesis and treatments’ data, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Visual Analogue Scale, McGill questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF–36), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) instrument, Burke–Marsden-Fahn Dystonia Scale (BMFDS), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), and Sexual Functioning Inventory (SFI). The study involved 105 dystonia patients (25 generalized, 15 segmental, 65 focal). Statistical analysis was performed.

Results: The patients were mainly women (65%), mean age 56 years mean duration of dystonia 28 years. 52,3% have more than 5 NMS. The high frequency of NMS was in generalized dystonia patients (96%). The most frequent NMS in our sample were sleep impairment (80.3%), pain (78%), anxiety (75.5%), fatigue (60.5%), depression (57.1%), anxiety (40.4%), reduced sexual functioning (29.4%). Poor QoL were connected to sleep problems, pain, depression, and fatigue.

Conclusion: The frequency of NMS in dystonia patients is high and significantly affect quality of life. NMS identification and timely management will help in individual care of dystonia patients.
A new comprehensive scale for NMS is necessary.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/frequency-of-non-motor-symptoms-in-dystonia-patients/