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Abstract Details

Survey of the Effects of the COVID19 Era on Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Movement Disorders
Movement Disorders Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)
149
Assessment of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, social distancing, and altered access to healthcare on Parkinson's disease patients using self-reported changes in symptoms as a metric for health status.

The effects of COVID-19 on the spectrum of patient care and rehabilitation services is not yet fully understood. Parkinson’s disease (PD) poses unique scientific challenges related to debilitating symptoms, phenotypic diversity, and clinical care models that are especially susceptible to institutional and social disruption.
Patients completed an online questionnaire about the impact of COVID19 as part of the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s ongoing Fox Insight study. De-identified responses from 6,540 PD patients including 35 COVID19-positive individuals were downloaded from the Fox Insight Data Exploration Network. Survey responses were converted into an ordinal scale prior to statistical analysis, including chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and univariable and multivariable linear regression, in R version 4.0.2.

Worsening of key PD symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia, and gait occurred in 10-18% of patients. Among 24 PD-related symptoms, 9 were reported to be new or worse more frequently in COVID19-positive patients. COVID-associated symptom worsening was primarily seen in cognitive symptoms rather than in motor or autonomic symptoms. Overall symptom worsening was significantly correlated with decreased access to care (R=0.24, p=5.2x10-83). Extent of social distancing did not affect symptoms or access to medical or rehab care; however, it did significantly affect participation in social activities.
In the largest cohort study of PD during the COVID-19 pandemic to date, our results suggest the COVID19 pandemic has affected Parkinson’s patients in many ways. We provide evidence of a direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on PD symptoms. Moreover, restrictions to healthcare access are positively correlated with worsening overall symptomatology. Importantly, effective social distancing precautions do not deteriorate patient symptoms as long as access to care is not impaired. 
Authors/Disclosures
Rebekah G. Langston
PRESENTER 		Ms. Langston has nothing to disclose.
No disclosure on file
No disclosure on file
Alexander Ksendzovsky No disclosure on file