Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder where early diagnosis is crucial for preserving motor function and improving quality of life. However, in many low- and middle-income countries, patients often experience significant delays in seeking medical attention, leading to missed opportunities for timely intervention. This study quantifies the time gap between symptom onset and the first specialist visit among PD patients in Uzbekistan.

Background: PD is often underdiagnosed in post-Soviet countries due to a shortage of movement disorder specialists and inconsistent diagnostic criteria. Many patients attribute early symptoms to aging or unrelated health issues, delaying their decision to seek medical help. Additionally, economic constraints, cultural stigma, and limited physician awareness further contribute to diagnostic delays. Understanding these barriers is essential for improving early detection and access to care.

Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 422 patients who visited a movement disorders specialist at a private clinic in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, between January and December 2024. Patients were categorized as having PD, Atypical Parkinsonism, Tremors, or Other movement disorders. The dataset included year of birth, symptom onset, prior dopaminergic treatment, sex distribution. An AI-generated graph was used to visualize trends.

Results: Among the 422 patients, 375 (88.9%) were diagnosed with PD, 36 with Tremors, 8 with Atypical Parkinsonism, 14 with other movement disorders. The average patient age was 61.6 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 200:234. 40.1% of PD patients had never consulted a doctor before their first specialist visit, with an average diagnostic delay of 4.6 years (range: 1–14 years).

This delay is particularly concerning as prolonged untreated PD patients administered with severe declines in quality of life, motor impairments, increased fall risk, cognitive decline, and reduced responsiveness to dopaminergic therapy.

Conclusion: This study highlights the urgent need for better public awareness, improved primary care training, accessible diagnostic tools, and enhanced referral pathways to reduce diagnostic delays in Uzbekistan. Future research should explore the socioeconomic and cultural factors contributing to late medical consultations while leveraging AI and cost-effective genetic screening to improve early PD detection and intervention.

AI-generated graph to visualize trends.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-study-of-delayed-specialist-consultation-in-parkinsons-disease-patients-in-uzbekistan/