Objective: This study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence and incidence of falls, (ii) identify contributors to falls, and (iii) examine injuries and consequences caused by falls in people with Parkinson’s (PD) with and without levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID).

Background: The influence of LID on falls in people with PD is still unclear. Thus, investigating falls specifically in people with PD with LID may provide important insights into fall risk and its clinical determinants.

Method: This is a prospective cohort study using data from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative. Participants were allocated to two groups based on the presence (LID group) or absence (Non-LID group) of LID, as assessed by part IV of the Movement Disorders Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). Demographic and clinical information were extracted. The reasons for falls were extracted as falls related or not related to freezing of gait (FOG), and injuries and consequences caused by falls were assessed. The prevalence and incidence analyses were performed.

Results: Unadjusted univariate regression analyses revealed differences between groups at baseline and at the one-year follow-up for falls related and unrelated to FOG. However, after adjustment for disease duration, these differences were no longer significant. Logistic regression models showed that LID status (OR=1.68; 95% CI=1.11–2.53) and MDS-UPDRS Part IA scores (OR=1.25; 95% CI=1.11–1.42) were independently associated with falls at baseline. No significant contributors were identified at the one-year follow-up. Differences between groups were observed only for the consequences of falls during the one-year follow-up, suggesting that people with LID may be more susceptible to negative outcomes following falls (e.g., lower-limb fractures).

Conclusion: People with PD and LID showed a higher proportion of falls, injuries, and fall-related consequences over time. LID status and non-motor symptoms were independently associated with falls at baseline, highlighting the importance of considering motor complications and non-motor features when assessing fall risk in PD.

This study was presented at the International Society of Posture and Gait Research World Congress on June 30, 2025, in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

References: We would like to acknowledge the PPMI study funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

« Back to 2026 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/levodopa-induced-dyskinesia-predicts-falls-fall-related-injuries-and-their-consequences-in-parkinsons-disease-a-prospective-ppmi-cohort-study/