Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Parkinson's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Survey of 568 Spanish Patients

Mov Disord. 2020 Oct;35(10):1712-1716. doi: 10.1002/mds.28261. Epub 2020 Sep 22.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to know the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Spanish patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: This is a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study. An anonymous online survey with 95 questions was distributed among patients. Responses were collected from 11 May 2020 to 20 July 2020.

Results: Of a total of 570 questionnaires received, 568 (99.6%) were considered valid for the analysis (mean age, 63.5 ± 12.5 years; 53% females). A total of 553 patients (97.4%) were aware of the COVID-19 pandemic and 68.8% were concerned about it; 95.6% took preventive measures. A total of 484 patients (85.2%) had no contact with cases of COVID-19, and only 15 (2.6%) had confirmed COVID-19. Although up to 72.7% remained active during confinement, 65.7% perceived a worsening of their symptoms.

Conclusions: Spanish patients with PD perceived the COVID-19 pandemic with concern and responsibility. More than half experienced worsening of their symptoms during confinement. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Keywords: COVID-19; Parkinson's disease; confinement; impact; pandemic.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections* / complications
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Progression*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / complications
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Spain
  • Surveys and Questionnaires