Covid-19 impact on Parkinson's Disease patients treated by drugs or deep brain stimulation

Salari, M.; Etemadifar, M.; Zali, A.; Aminzade, Z.; Farsinejad, P.; Tehrani Fateh, S.

Purpose: Covid-19 has affected all people especially those with chronic diseases including Parkinsons Disease (PD). Covid-19 may affect both motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms of PD patients. We intend to evaluate different aspects of Covid-19 impact on PD patients. Methods: 647 PD patients were evaluated in terms of PD related and Covid-19 related clinical presentations in addition to past medical history during the pandemic through an online questioner. They were compared with an age-matched control group consist of 673 individuals and a sample of normal population consist of 1215 individuals. Results: Prevalence of Covid-19 in PD patients was 11.28%. The mortality was 1.23% among PD patients. Prevalence of Covid-19 in PD patients undergone DBS was 18.18%. No significant association was found between duration of disease and prevalence of Covid-19. A statistically significant higher prevalence of Covid-19 in PD patient who had a direct contact with SARS-CoV-19 infected individuals was found. No statistically significant association has been found between worsening of motor symptoms and Covid-19. PD patients and the normal population may differ in the prevalence of some psychological disorders including anxiety and sleeping disorders and Covid-19 may affect the psychological status. Conclusion: PD patients possibly follow tighter preventive protocols which leads to lower prevalence and severity of Covid-19 and its consequences in these patients. Although it seems Covid-19 does not affect motor and psychological aspects of PD as much as it was expected, more accurate evaluations are suggested in order to clarify such effects.