Objective: To evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on motor and non-motor symptoms in Mexican people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP).

Background: Nowadays, as a consequence of the COVID-2019 global pandemic, several vaccines have been approved and utilized as a response to this crisis [1]. Intuitively, vulnerable by the effects of social isolation, PwP sensed a negative impact on their symptoms [2]. However, this has not yet been described so far or it is inconclusive [3].
Several studies focus on the difference in symptoms before and after COVID-19, but few describe the vaccines and their possible effects [5]. Erro et al, describe the outcomes in PwP who received the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (n=181), 2 patients (1.1%) developed severe dyskinesia and an increased deterioration (rigidity and gait impairment) [6]. Despite the Movement Disorder Society highly recommending vaccination in PD, and considering all approved mRNA-based and viral vector vaccines are not expected to interact with PD, patients report concern with regard to the benefits, risks and safeness in PD [6,7].

Method: A retrospective study of PwP who received a complete scheme of vaccination against COVID-19 was carried out. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine the scale differences between prior and after the vaccine in: (i) motor involvement (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale [UPDRS I, II, III & IV]); (ii) non-motor involvement (Non-Motor Rating Scale [NMSS]); (iii) cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]), and (iv) quality of life (QoL) (8-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire index [8-PDQi]).

Results: 60 Mexican PwP who had received SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were included (66.7% male; 65.7 ± 11.35 years old). 35% were vaccinated with a vector-viral vaccine (Vaxzevria Coronavirus) and 26% with mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2). According to the Wilcoxon test, there was no significant difference between scales. Only a significant difference in non-motor symptoms (NMSS) was observed (z=2.205, p=0.027).

Conclusion: Despite the emergency use authorization of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, no evidence of worsening of motor and non-motor symptoms was found. Moreover, without finding a direct association with the vaccine, a marked improvement in non-motor symptoms was noticed. Therefore, we recommend, as other international committees and the MDS do, continuing the vaccination program in people with Parkinson’s disease.

References: [1] Bloem BR, Trenkwalder C, Sanchez-Ferro A, et al. COVID-19 Vaccination for Persons with Parkinson’s Disease: Light at the End of the Tunnel? Journal of Parkinson’s Disease. 2021;11(1):3–8.
[2] Fearon C, Fasano A. Parkinson’s Disease and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Parkinson’s Disease. 2021;11(2):431–44.
[3] Cilia R, Bonvegna S, Straccia G, et al. Effects of COVID ‐19 on Parkinson’s Disease Clinical Features: A Community‐Based Case‐Control Study. Mov Disord. 2020;35(8):1287–92.
[4] Brundin P, Nath A, Beckham JD. Is COVID-19 a perfect storm for Parkinson’s disease? Trends in Neurosciences. 2020.
[5] Helmich RC, Bloem BR. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Parkinson’s Disease: Hidden Sorrows and Emerging Opportunities. Journal of Parkinson’s Disease. 2020;10(2):351–54.
[6] Erro R, Buonomo AR, Barone P, et al. Severe Dyskinesia after Administration of SARS‐CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine in Parkinson’s Disease. Mov Disord. 2021.
[7] Cosentino C, Torres L, Vélez M, et al. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines and Motor Symptoms in Parkinson ‘s Disease. Mov Disord. 2022;37(1):233.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/impact-of-sars-cov-2-vaccine-in-parkinsons-disease/