Objective: Investigate potential gender-based cognitive performance disparities within the Hispanic population diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Background: PD significantly impairs cognitive functions, adversely affecting the quality of life. Identifying potential gender-specific cognitive differences in PD patients is crucial for developing personalized therapeutic strategies.
Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 66 Hispanic PD patients who provided informed consent. Cognitive functioning across various domains was evaluated using the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS), and gender differences in cognitive performance were analyzed through the T-student test to determine statistical significance.
Results: Our study consisted of 41 males (62%) and 25 females (38%), with mean ages of 69±8 and 65±9 years, respectively. The average MDRS scores for our cohort were 129 for females and 124 for males. T-student analysis of MDRS scores between genders revealed no statistically significant differences (t=1.303, p=0.197). Examination of specific cognitive domains, including attention (t=-0.667, p=0.507), initiation/perseveration (t=1.742, p=0.087), construction (t=1.931, p=0.059), conceptualization (t=1.931, p=0.059), and memory (t=1.555, p=0.125), also indicated no substantial gender disparities.
Conclusion: This study revealed no significant gender-based differences in cognitive functions among Hispanic PD patients. While marginal differences were recorded in specific cognitive domains, they did not reach statistical significance. Emphasizing individualized cognitive assessment and intervention in PD care, with a focus on patient-specific profiles rather than gender-based approaches. Nevertheless, additional research is required to investigate further factors contributing to cognitive impairment in PD and to formulate personalized treatment strategies.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
D. Piana-Castillo, C. Rodriguez-Alarcon, G. Faggioni-Sanchez, D. Bustamante-Mieles, C. Cevallos-Velasco, M. Barreiro-Guillén, R. Santibanez-Vasquez. Gender-related Cognitive Disparities in Hispanic Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2024; 39 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/gender-related-cognitive-disparities-in-hispanic-patients-with-parkinsons-disease-a-cross-sectional-study/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2024 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/gender-related-cognitive-disparities-in-hispanic-patients-with-parkinsons-disease-a-cross-sectional-study/