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. 2022 Apr-Jun;16(2):237-242.
doi: 10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2021-0083. Epub 2022 May 13.

Fatigue in Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease

Daniel Venturino Nassif  1 , João Santos Pereira  1
Affiliations

Fatigue in Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease

Daniel Venturino Nassif et al. Dement Neuropsychol. 2022 Apr-Jun.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Fatigue is a non-motor symptom of high prevalence in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, it is still unknown and neglected by health professionals.

Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the prevalence of fatigue in patients with PD after excluding confounding factors, as well as its correlation with clinical and demographic data, and to find its negative impact on the quality of life of these patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 237 randomly selected patients. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 53 patients, who were then submitted to the Fatigue Severity Scale. Clinical and demographic data were also analyzed, comparing them between patients with and without fatigue.

Results: We identified fatigue in 21 (39.62%) patients. Patients with and without fatigue had similar mean scores on the UPDRS-III (p=0.36), equivalent daily dose of levodopa (p=0.94), mean disease duration (p=0.43), and mean age (p<0.99). Fatigued patients had worse quality of life scores (PDQ-39) (p=0.00). We did not observe a correlation between fatigue, duration of illness (r=0.11; p=0.43), age (r=0.00; p=0.99), and UPDRS-III (r=0.20; p=0.16).

Conclusions: Fatigue is a highly prevalent and independent symptom of PD. There is no correlation between age, mean duration of disease, motor impairment, and its presence. It has a negative impact on quality of life.

A fadiga é um sintoma não motor de elevada prevalência na doença de Parkinson, no entanto ela ainda é desconhecida e negligenciada por profissionais de saúde.

Objetivo: Demonstrar a prevalência de fadiga em pacientes com doença de Parkinson após a exclusão de fatores de confusão, bem como sua correlação com dados clínicos e demográficos, comprovando seu impacto negativo na qualidade de vida desses pacientes.

Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 237 pacientes selecionados aleatoriamente. De acordo com critérios de inclusão e exclusão, escolhemos 53 pacientes, que foram então submetidos à Escala de Gravidade de Fadiga. Analisaram-se também dados clínicos e demográficos, comparando-os entre os pacientes com e sem fadiga.

Resultados: Identificamos fadiga em 21 pacientes (39,62%). Pacientes com e sem fadiga apresentaram pontuação média semelhante na Escala Unificada de Avaliação para Doença de Parkinson (UPDRS-III) (p=0,36), dose diária equivalente de levodopa (p=0,94), tempo médio de duração da doença (p=0,43) e idade média (p<0,99). Pacientes fatigados apresentaram piores índices de qualidade de vida (Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire - PDQ-39) (p=0,00). Não observamos correlação entre fadiga, tempo de doença (r=0,11; p=0,43), idade (r=0,00; p=0,99) e UPDRS-III (r=0,20; p=0,16).

Conclusões: A fadiga é um sintoma de alta prevalência e independente na doença de Parkinson. Não há correlação entre idade, tempo médio de duração da doença, comprometimento motor e sua presença. Possui impacto negativo na qualidade de vida.

Keywords: Depression; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence; Fatigue; Parkinson Disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Total Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 and domain comparison between fatigued and non-fatigued patients.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Negative correlation between age, disease duration, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III, and fatigue.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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