Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics and the progression of different domains of NMS in PD, and to determine their predictors.
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients present with both motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms (NMS). NMS are significantly correlated with health-related quality of life (HRQL) and disability, more so than motor symptoms. Mollenhauer demonstrated a higher NMS burden and a significant increase in its different domains over the 2 years follow up in PD patients compared with healthy controls.
Method: Prospective cohort observational study where as Serum samples of 34 PD patients and their matched controls underwent analysis by enzymatic method using relevant reagent kit and COBAS® c501 analyser
Participants were also assessed for cognition using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) tests, for mood using the Beck Depression Scale. PD patients were also assessed using the MDS Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ 8) and Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease – Autonomic Dysfunction (SCOPA AUT) , GIT symptoms using gastrointestinal dysfunction scale (GIPD) , pain assessment using King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Scale (KPPS)
Results: A total of 34 participants (PD) were recruited and followed up for 1 year with a mean age of 56.9 ± 9.7 years, predominantly males (76.5%) ,58.8% were non-smokers.
The mean age of onset was 49.3 ± 11.3 years, mean disease duration was 7.47 ± 5.84 years Our study showed that the non-motor symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, pain, and EP scores showed significant worsening on follow up;
Yet there were no significant changes found in MOCA, Beck depression score, or PDQ-8.
Correlation analysis showed that non-motor symptom burden was strongly positively associated with motor severity, autonomic dysfunction, gastrointestinal symptoms, pain, depression, and poorer quality of life.
Conclusion: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are an integral and progressive component of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and eventually becoming more disabling than motor dysfunction in advanced stages. It was well observed that non-motor symptoms progress independently in several directions.
NON MOTOR MEAN SCORE
GIT MEAN SCORE
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
A. Shalash, M. Salama, M. Essam, Y. Mahran, E. Hamid, A. Helmy. Characteristics And Progression Of Non-Motor Symptoms In Parkinsons Disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2026; 41 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/characteristics-and-progression-of-non-motor-symptoms-in-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed October 1, 2026.« Back to 2026 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/characteristics-and-progression-of-non-motor-symptoms-in-parkinsons-disease/