Comparison of motor, non-motor, and quality of life phenotype in Black and White patients with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Objective: To determine phenotypic differences between Black and White patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Design/methods: Patients with PD in a movement disorders clinic were approached to participate. After consent, a battery of tests was completed, including MDS-UPDRS Part III and the motor domains of the NIH Toolbox, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Single Digit Modality Test, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39), Schwab and England, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, UPSIT smell test, and others.

Results: Twenty-four Black PD and 25 White PD patients participated. There were no differences in demographics and MDS-UPDRS Part III scores. White PD participants performed better on the 4-m walk gait speed test (p < 0.0005), standing balance test (p < 0.001), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (p < 0.0005), and Single Digit Modality Test (p < 0.005). Black PD participants had lower scores on PROMIS Satisfaction with Participation (p = 0.023), PROMIS Physical Function Mobility (p = 0.007), total PDQ39 (p = 0.008), PDQ39 mobility (p = 0.012), PDQ39 ADL (p = 0.014), PDQ39 cognition (p = 0.023), and PDQ39 body discomfort (p = 0.041) scales.

Conclusions: Significant differences were found in motor, non-motor and quality of life scales in Black and White PD participants with similar demographics. Further work will need to be done to identify the underlying reasons and ways to mitigate these disparities.

Keywords: African americans; NIH Toolbox; Parkinson disease.