Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of drooling and related factors.

Background: The prevalence of drooling in Parkinson’s disease (PD) varies widely, from 10% to 84%.

Method: The subjects were PD patients capable of completing MDS-UPDRS parts 1 and 2. Drooling was assessed using the ” SALIVA AND DROOLING ” item in MDS-UPDRS part 2. The group without drooling was rated as 0 (normal), 1 (slight, I have too much saliva, but do not drool), and the group with drooling was rated as 2 (mild) to 4 (severe). The two groups were compared based on MDS-UPDRS parts I-IV, Hoehn & Yahr (HY) severity, LEDD, RBD questionnaire, and olfactory identification function.

Results: 422 PD patients (206 males, 235 females) were included, with an average age of 68±8.4 years, disease duration of 6.4±4.7 years, and an HY severity score of 2.3±0.7. 65% of participants reported no drooling, while 35% reported it. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in age, duration of illness, HY severity, MDS-UPDRS parts I-IV total scores, LEDD, and RBD total scores. In the sub-items of MDS-UPDRS part I, there were significant differences between the two groups in cognitive impairment, hallucinations, depressed mood, sleep problems, daytime sleepiness pain, urinary problems, constipation, light headedness on standing and fatigue. Among the items showing significant differences, factors associated with drooling were the MDS-UPDRS parts II and III total scores; when sub-items from part I were added, constipation and sleep were associated with drooling.

Conclusion: The prevalence of drooling was 35%, and it was associated with the severity of motor function impairment, constipation, and sleep disturbances.

« Back to 2026 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/prevalence-of-drooling-in-parkinsons-disease-a-multi-center-observational-study/