Objective: To explore the link between post-traumatic stress disorders and dysautonomic symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a complex condition that can lead to dysautonomic symptoms, which can negatively impact disease progression and patient outcomes. Recent studies suggest that post-traumatic stress disorders may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and share similar physiological features with dysautonomic symptoms. However, the relationship between these disorders and dysautonomic symptoms in Parkinson’s disease remains unknown.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study approved by the IRB, enrolling 32 patients with Parkinson’s disease from the PI’s clinic between July and September 2022. We used the SCOPA-AUT scale to identify dysautonomic symptoms and categorized patients based on their scores. Personal traumatic experiences were documented, and the PCL-5, ACE, ASDS scales, and structured interviews were used to identify post-traumatic stress disorders.

Results: The analysis revealed a significant difference in PCL5 scores between groups, with a higher score observed in the SCOPA-AUT ≥ 10 group (23.06, SD 24.5 vs 3.2, SD 9.8), p = 0.007; d = -1.064. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between PCL5 and the total SCOPA-AUT score among patients in the SCOPA-AUT ≥ 10 group, p = 0.002, rho = 0.530. These patients were also more likely to report a previous traumatic event (OR 4.84, p = 0.034) or any stress-related disorder (OR 15.4, p = 0.003) suggesting a strong association between post-traumatic stress disorders and dysautonomic symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.

Conclusion: This cross-sectional study provides valuable insights into the potential relationship between post-traumatic stress disorders and dysautonomic symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. These findings underscore the importance of early identification and management of stress-related disorders in Parkinson’s disease patients to improve overall health outcomes. Further longitudinal studies are needed to validate these findings and explore potential therapeutic options for patients with Parkinson’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorders.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/unveiling-the-link-between-stress-related-disorders-and-dysautonomic-symptoms-in-parkinsons-disease-a-cross-sectional-study/