Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to determine the prevalence of central pain in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and examine its impact on patients’ quality of life.
Background: PD ranks as the second most prevalent neurodegenerative condition worldwide, affecting approximately 1% of the global population. Beyond the well-recognized motor manifestations, individuals with PD frequently endure non-motor symptoms, among them central pain, which carries a considerable burden on daily functioning and overall well-being.
Method: The study protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO. Eligible studies included those reporting central pain in populations with a confirmed PD diagnosis. A systematic literature search was conducted across Embase, Scopus, and PubMed, covering publications up to December 2024.
Results: The initial search retrieved 4,901 articles, from which 32 studies were selected based on low risk of bias. Pooled prevalence of central pain among PD patients was estimated at 7.03%. When stratified by study design, prevalence rates were: 5.08% in prospective cohort studies, 8.47% in cross-sectional studies, 5.01% in case-control studies, and 4.90% in retrospective cohort studies. Substantial heterogeneity was noted across most study designs, with the exception of retrospective cohort studies, which demonstrated moderate heterogeneity (I² = 39%).
Conclusion: The observed heterogeneity likely reflects variability in diagnostic criteria across studies, compounded by inconsistent reporting of interventions, such as deep brain stimulation, known to influence pain perception. The pooled estimate of 7.03% underscores the clinical relevance of central pain as a non-motor feature of PD. Greater diagnostic specificity in future research, along with systematic documentation of deep brain stimulation use, will be essential to refine prevalence estimates and ultimately improve the clinical management and quality of life of affected patients.
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To cite this abstract in AMA style:
L. Gomes Pereira, K. Casali Vieira, C. David Antoniazzi, G. Trevisan. How Common Is Central Pain in Parkinson’s Disease? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/how-common-is-central-pain-in-parkinsons-disease-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/how-common-is-central-pain-in-parkinsons-disease-a-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis/