Objective: The aim of this study was to report the telemedicine experience of our Movement Disorder Unit during COVID-19 pandemic and to assess the clinical impact that lockdown measures had on our PD population in Trieste.

Background: Since COVID-19 pandemic spread all around the world, lockdown measures have been ordered, forcing people to social distancing and self-isolation. In this scenario, telemedicine (TM) is a crucial strategy for providing patient care continuity.

Method: All follow-up visits scheduled during lockdown period were converted to telehealth visits. Each patient and/or caregiver underwent a telephonic questionnaire to assess patient’s general status and motor/non-motor symptoms. Patients were divided into two groups according to disease severity: early PD (ePD) and advanced PD (adPD).

Results: 95 patients were finally included in the study. The higher worsening incidences were observed for gait (25%), tremor/bradykinesia/rigidity (22%) followed by anxiety (18%) and cognition (17%). 64% of adPD patients reported a worsening in at least one symptom with a significant higher worsening incidence in gait, tremor/bradykinesia/rigidity, sleep and cognition, compared to ePD. Furthermore, the observed incidences of polysymptomatic worsening and non-motor involvement were significantly higher in adPD than ePD.

Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent extraordinary lockdown measures ordered by the Italian government had a strong clinical impact on our PD population, concerning both motor and non-motor symptoms. This was much more evident in patients with an advanced disease stage. Noteworthy, this paper emphasizes the crucial role of telemedicine in monitoring patients and providing care, during pandemic emergency.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/hidden-effects-of-covid-19-pandemic-on-parkinsons-disease-a-telemedicine-survey/