Objective: 1. To study the prevalence of various non-motor symptoms in Young onset Parkinson’s Disease patients

2. To study the genetic markers in YOPD patients.

Background: Young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) is a subtype of Parkinson’s disease, occurring at a younger age, with specific symptoms, genetic correlation, and treatment strategies. YOPD is defined as the diagnosis of PD between the ages of 21 and 40. YOPD presents unique challenges as it typically affects individuals in the prime of their lives, significantly impacting their social, occupational, and familial dynamics.

Method: This study is a prospective descriptive analysis conducted at Department of Neurology, IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, India. Patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease according to the MDS-PD criteria, with an age at onset between 21-45 years, were included in the study. Non-motor symptoms were evaluated using the MDS-NMS (Movement Disorder Society Non-Motor Rating Scale) NMSQ (Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire), and PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). For those willing, whole exome sequencing was conducted following genetic counselling of patients and their caregivers.

Results: A total of 27 patients were enrolled in the study, comprising 21 (72.4%) males and 8 (27.6%) females. The mean age of onset was 36.86 years, with a median illness duration of 5 years. The median Modified H & Y stage was 2. Genetic analysis was performed on 23 of the 29 patients, revealing Parkinson’s-related genes in 13 of them.

The most prevalent non-motor symptom was anxiety, reported by 25 patients (86.2%).This was closely followed by sexual dysfunction and feeling sad, each experienced by 20 patients (69.0%).Nocturia and dream enactment were observed in 19 patients (65.5%), while loss of interest in sex and lightheadedness were reported by 18 patients (62.1% and 58.6%, respectively).

Conclusion: In conclusion, patients with young onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) experience significant non-motor symptoms and sleep disturbances, with a notable genetic component. The high prevalence of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sexual dysfunction  underscores a comprehensive and individualized approach, incorporating psychological support and targeted interventions for non-motor symptoms, is crucial for improving the quality of life and outcomes for YOPD patients.

Genetics of YOPD

References: 1. Post B, van den Heuvel L, van Prooije T, van Ruissen X, van de Warrenburg B, Nonnekes J. Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease: A Modern and Tailored Approach. J Parkinsons Dis. 2020;10(s1):S29-S36. doi: 10.3233/JPD-202135. PMID: 32651336; PMCID: PMC7592661.
2. Spica, Vladana & Pekmezovic, Tatjana & Svetel, Marina & Kostić, Vladimir. (2012). Prevalence of non-motor symptoms in young-onset versus late-onset Parkinson’s disease. Journal of neurology. 260. 10.1007/s00415-012-6600-9.
3. Genetic architecture of a single cohort of 230 Indian Parkinson’s Disease patients, Kamath Sneha D. et al. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, Volume 129, 107157
4. Y.W. Tay, A.H. Tan, J.L. Lim, et al., Genetic study of early-onset Parkinson’s disease in the Malaysian population, Parkinsonism Relat. Disorders 111 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105399.

« Back to 2025 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/non-motor-symptoms-sleep-disturbances-and-genetic-insights-in-young-onset-parkinsons-disease-a-prospective-descriptive-study/